Abstract

SATTLER, Marli Kath. Post infidelity rebuilding of marital relationships: would that be a possibility?. Pensando fam. [online]. 2021, vol.25, n.1, pp.68-82. ISSN 1679-494X.

The majority of couples, although exceptions may occur, include the pursuing of fidelity and trust in their particular contract, being its rupture a serious problem in relationships, that often leads to a marriage termination. Until recently, this behaviour was interpreted under a morality perspective, that was recently modified. Nowadays, the therapeutic process is focused both on a better understanding of the individual functioning and on the pattern of the couple interaction. Also, it is important to understand what has happened, in addition to the identification of changes that each one feels needed to make possible the continuity of the relationship. Under this new perspective, a growing search for help by couples has been noticed, where both partners admit the possibility of rebuilding their relationship. In this direction, the clinic experiences have been showing that, after a period of instability and suffering, positive changes in the quality of the relationship may occur. But, this is not what always happens, as a successful reestablishment of a marital relationship requires the presence of some fundamental factors, such as: the understanding of what has led to the infidelity and of some factors envolved in the unfaithful behaviour; the couple’s ability in tolerating frustration; as well as the genuine desire of both partners, to try to give a chance to the relationship. The importance of neuroscience in the therapeutic process is also referred to.

Keywords : Infidelity; Extramarital relationships; Rebuilding relationships; Marital satisfaction.

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