Campus Location
Abilene Campus (Residential)
Date of Award
5-2026
Document Type
Thesis
Department
Psychology
Degree Name
Master of Science
Committee Chair or Primary Advisor
Brianne George
Second Committee Member or Secondary Advisor
Joshua Rhodes
Third Committee Member or Committee Reader
David McAnulty
Abstract
Infidelity represents a significant relational trauma that may disturb attachment processes such as trust, emotional intimacy, and closeness. There is a gap in the literature on how different infidelity exposures may relate to these attachment responses; more so, there is a dearth of information on the gender differences for attachment issues following any kind of infidelity. The purpose of this study aimed to examine differences in avoidant and anxious attachment across infidelity groups (no infidelity, non-sexual infidelity, sexual infidelity), and a further comparison of gender differences in those groups. Participants (N = 151) completed online surveys in a larger study which included the Adult Attachment Questionnaire and based on self-report were categorized into infidelity subgroups. Results from the two one-way analyses of variance (ANOVA) showed a significant effect of infidelity type on both anxious and avoidant attachment styles, with higher levels of attachment stress in both infidelity groups when compared to the no infidelity group. Multiple analysis of variance (MANOVA) revealed no significant main effect of gender and no interaction between gender and infidelity type on attachment scores. The findings suggest that infidelity exposure of any kind is associated with increased attachment issues. Future research should focus on the underlying issues of the observed associations and increase male gender representation in samples and the continued efforts within this project aim to improve clinical practices regarding the treatment of infidelity exposure sequelae.
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Recommended Citation
Forsythe, Taylor, "Attachment and Betrayal: Post-Infidelity Attachment Issues with a Focus on Gender" (2026). Digital Commons @ ACU, Electronic Theses and Dissertations. Paper 1005.
https://digitalcommons.acu.edu/etd/1005