What are the effects of extramarital affairs?
Asked by: Art Goodwin | Last update: October 4, 2025Score: 4.2/5 (48 votes)
Infidelity may not only have a destructive impact on the relationship, which may lead to separation or divorce, but may negatively affect the partners' overall emotional wellbeing, leading to enhanced depressive symptoms andlowered self-esteem [3].
What are the side effects of extra marital affairs?
Extramarital relationships can have negative consequences for women, including emotional and physical health issues, as well as damage to relationships. The emotional impact of cheating can include: anger, betrayal, insecurity, shame, guilt, jealousy, sadness, depression, and anxiety.
What are the long term effects of affairs?
Let's recap. Infidelity can have lasting impacts on partners and children the couple may have. Grief, brain changes, behaviors down the road, and mental health conditions such as anxiety, chronic stress, and depression can result. Some families have been able to move past infidelity with time and therapy.
What are the psychological effects of extramarital affairs?
The impact on the betrayed partner can be devastating, leading to feelings of heartbreak, anger and a significant blow to self-esteem. The discovery of infidelity can trigger symptoms of depression and anxiety and, in some cases, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Where do most extramarital affairs start?
- In the office. The workplace is traditionally the place where people have the most affairs, Macleod said. ...
- At the gym. ...
- On social media. ...
- Through a social circle. ...
- At a volunteering gig. ...
- In church.
Rethinking infidelity ... a talk for anyone who has ever loved | Esther Perel | TED
What age group has the most affairs?
Adults over 55 are more likely to be unfaithful to their partners compared to younger age groups. For men, the highest rate of infidelity has shifted to those aged 60 to 69. Women in their 40s and 50s also show increased rates of cheating compared to their younger counterparts.
What are the consequences of adultery?
Infidelity may not only have a destructive impact on the relationship, which may lead to separation or divorce, but may negatively affect the partners' overall emotional wellbeing, leading to enhanced depressive symptoms andlowered self-esteem [3].
What mental illness is associated with cheating?
However, if an individual is compulsively cheating in a pattern or series, or is entirely without remorse, then it is important to look at signs of past trauma, possible mental illness (such as narcissistic personality disorder, sex addiction), or perhaps issues of substance use—where a person may be impulsively ...
What are the 5 stages of cheating?
The five stages of guilt after cheating, which come from the Kübler-Ross 5 stages of grief, are denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance. The grieving process is super complex and fluid, so these stages are more to give you a general sense of what you might feel than tell you how it's going to play out.
How does a cheating wife affect a man?
The partner who has been cheated on might feel traumatized by the betrayal of trust and loss of emotional safety. The partner that had the affair might fear that they'll never be forgiven. When an affair is first discovered, it can be hard to think clearly enough to make long-term decisions.
How does a man feel after being cheated on?
Men may also experience feelings of rejection, inadequacy, and a loss of self-esteem. Some men may even feel guilty or responsible for their partner's infidelity. They may wonder if they weren't fulfilling their partner's needs (especially physically) or if they contributed to their partner's decision to cheat.
How common is cheating in marriage?
It turns out that infidelity is actually not uncommon in both men and women. In fact, surveys estimate that almost one-fourth of all marriages experience infidelity at some point. And that's just counting the people who answered honestly or found out about it.
How long do affairs last on average?
Most affairs last only 6 to 24 months.
Why does infidelity hurt so much?
There is no doubt that having someone you love and care about cheat on you is hurtful. People who have experienced infidelity report feeling betrayed, losing trust, rage, and damaged self-esteem. These are just some of the feelings a person can experience because of infidelity.
What is the difference between infidelity and adultery?
Infidelity, or cheating, is the act of being either emotionally or physically unfaithful to a spouse or partner, and breaking a commitment or promise during the act. Adultery is engaging in physical, sexual activity, and may be considered a criminal offense and grounds for divorce in certain places.
What is the psychology behind cheating and lying?
Research suggests that individuals may cheat due to various motivations such as dissatisfaction, desire for novelty, or lack of emotional intimacy. In other situations, individuals may cheat as a form of self-sabotage due to low self-esteem or feelings of unworthiness.
How do cheaters act after cheating?
They may act hurt, even if they admit to cheating.
It's natural for someone who's had an affair to feel sad or remorseful about what happened. However, some cheaters will take it a step further and try to make their partner feel sorry for them, or even try to make their significant other feel guilty for being upset.
How are most affairs discovered?
Text, Email, Social Media DMs. Technology often plays a significant role in revealing affairs. Text messages, emails, social media activity, and even location history on shared devices can inadvertently become the source of painful discoveries.
What is the first rule of cheating?
The first rule of cheating is simple: don't get caught.
What personality disorder is most likely to cheat?
A drive toward grandiosity and a need for admiration are examples of traits that can contribute to narcissist cheating patterns in relationships. Narcissism is both a personality trait and the key feature of a mental health condition known as narcissistic personality disorder (NPD).
Does being cheated on change you?
Does being cheated on change you or your mental health? Yes. Infidelity can have significant effects on your mental health. Specifically, it may cause low self-esteem, insecurity, social anxiety, and trust issues.
Can a man be in love and still cheat?
A man can cheat and still wholeheartedly love his wife. Infidelity can happen even in happy marriages, and it's important to understand that it's not your fault.
What does adultery do to the body?
Getting Cheated On Can Hurt You Physically, Too
Those who've gone through romantic betrayal often have a higher risk of stress, anxiety, and depression. That's not surprising.
Which is worse, fornication or adultery?
However, adulterous offenders were punished more severely than those who simply engaged in fornication. Adultery was considered a more serious sin because it betrayed the marriage vows and could produce illegitimate children (Brundage, "Sex and Canon Law," 42).
Who cheats most in a relationship?
The tendency for someone to cheat varies from person to person, and the reasons are often personal. While studies have shown that men are more guilty of infidelity, it doesn't dictate any future behaviors and should not be used to predict cheating in relationships.