REBUILDING TRUST AFTER MARITAL INFIDELITY: AN ADLERIAN COUPLES THERAPY INTERVENTION

Abstract

Marital infidelity represents a profound relational injury that can undermine trust, emotional intimacy, equality, and the sense of security within an intimate relationship. The present study examined the potential effectiveness of an Adlerian-based couples therapy intervention among couples who had experienced marital infidelity. An intervention-based design combined quantitative and qualitative approaches. The quantitative component included 34 participants representing 17 married couples. Participants completed the Adlerian Social Interest Scale–Romantic Relationships (ASIS-RR) before and after a structured Adlerian couples therapy program consisting of 6–8 sessions. The qualitative component involved individual interviews before and after the intervention focusing on trust, intimacy, communication, emotions, belonging, self-concept, and forgiveness. Significant improvements were observed in Equality and Reciprocity in the Relationship, Support and Personal Growth, and Shared Activity, Affection, and Intimacy. No statistically significant improvements were observed in Dominance and Control, Suspicious Attitudes Toward the Partner, or Romantic Beliefs. The findings provide preliminary evidence that Adlerian intervention may contribute to improvements in cooperation, mutual support, emotional intimacy, and relational equality following marital betrayal. However, persistent suspicion and established patterns of control may require longer-term therapeutic work. Because the study used a small sample and did not include a control group or long-term follow-up, causal and generalizability conclusions should be drawn cautiously.