A transpersonal perspective on marital infidelity
by Chris-Rotimi, Babalola, Ph.D., INSTITUTE OF TRANSPERSONAL PSYCHOLOGY, 2008, 285 pages; 3315104

Abstract:

This study examined the phenomenon of marital infidelity from a transpersonal perspective, and as experienced by the unfaithful marriage partner. For the purpose of this study, marital infidelity is narrowly defined as sexual unfaithfulness to a spouse. Using a screening questionnaire, I selected 13 participants for this study—6 women and 7 men. I employed a combination of organic and heuristic research methods for this study. I obtained data primarily using semistructured interviews in which I explored the individual and partner dynamics that make an infidelity experience positive/valuable or negative/regrettable. I presented a portrait of each participant and a composite portrait of the whole group. I extracted units of meaning from the collected data and presented these as common and unique themes. I presented a creative synthesis of the experience of marital infidelity. The results suggest that: (a) marital infidelity can potentially occur in all kinds of marriage situations—good, bad, or in between; (b) it rarely happens by accident; (c) it is actually a symptom, the curative treatment of which requires addressing the disease; (d) the disease could be different forms of marital disaffection or psychospiritual disturbances within the individual or the marriage; and (e) the values found in the experience and lessons learned from it influence the person's future relationships with self, spouse, and ultimately, God/Spirit. The findings humanize the infamous cheater, casting his/her experience in a perspective that encompasses all levels of it without trivializing any. The practical applications of the study include: (a) better service delivery by transpersonal practitioners to couples in therapy; (b) the possibility of holistic healing for individuals and couples; and (c) the need for society to embrace, assimilate, and integrate the shadow side of consciousness into the body of the experience of marriage, and into the body of humanity as a whole.

 
AdviserRobert Schmitt
SchoolINSTITUTE OF TRANSPERSONAL PSYCHOLOGY
SourceDAI/B 69-06, p. , Sep 2008
Source TypeDissertation
SubjectsSocial psychology; Psychology; Personality psychology
Publication Number3315104
Adobe PDF Access the complete dissertation:
 

» Find an electronic copy at your library.
  Use the link below to access a full citation record of this graduate work:
  http://gateway.proquest.com/openurl%3furl_ver=Z39.88-2004%26res_dat=xri:pqdiss%26rft_val_fmt=info:ofi/fmt:kev:mtx:dissertation%26rft_dat=xri:pqdiss:3315104
  If your library subscribes to the ProQuest Dissertations & Theses (PQDT) database, you may be entitled to a free electronic version of this graduate work. If not, you will have the option to purchase one, and access a 24 page preview for free (if available).

About ProQuest Dissertations & Theses
With over 2.3 million records, the ProQuest Dissertations & Theses (PQDT) database is the most comprehensive collection of dissertations and theses in the world. It is the database of record for graduate research.

The database includes citations of graduate works ranging from the first U.S. dissertation, accepted in 1861, to those accepted as recently as last semester. Of the 2.3 million graduate works included in the database, ProQuest offers more than 1.9 million in full text formats. Of those, over 860,000 are available in PDF format. More than 60,000 dissertations and theses are added to the database each year.

If you have questions, please feel free to visit the ProQuest Web site - http://www.proquest.com - or call ProQuest Hotline Customer Support at 1-800-521-3042.