Author ORCID Identifier
Theresa C. Allen 0000-0002-7320-2821
Abstract
Many studies have examined risk factors for infidelity; however, few have investigated how couples recovered from the attachment injury of infidelity. Thus, a grounded theory pilot study was conducted by the lead author to explore the question, “What helps evangelical marriages recover after sexual infidelity by the husband?” Three evangelical couples who were a minimum of two years post-disclosure of infidelity shared their personal accounts of marital recovery. Six major findings emerged from the analysis of the data collected from their semi-structured interviews: 1) developing healthy communication; 2) obtaining support and accountability; 3) maintaining physical separation from the other woman; 4) practicing security-priming behaviors; 5) establishing God as a secure base; and 6) finding a source of hope. The Attachment Repair Hexagon diagram was developed to illustrate the process for recovery from male infidelity in evangelical marriages.
Recommended Citation
Allen, T. C., & Thomas, J. C. (2024). The Attachment Repair Hexagon: A Model for Recovery from Infidelity in Evangelical Marriages, Journal of Faith Integration Counseling (JFIC): 1(1), Article 4. Available at: https://jfic.researchcommons.org/journal/vol1/iss1/4
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