The phenomenology of the emotions of adult children affected by parental infidelity

Marital infidelity is considered a destructive damage in the life of couples, which affects the lives of children in addition to the husband and wife. This research was conducted with the aim of identifying the emotional experiences of adult children affected by parental infidelity. The present research method was a qualitative phenomenology type. The population of this study included adult children affected by the marital infidelity of their parents in Tehran in 2020. Sampling continued in a purposeful manner until the saturation limit and finally, 10 adult children were selected. The research tool was in-depth interviews. In order to analyze the data, the Claizian theme analysis method was used. Data analysis led to the identification of 3 selective themes, 9 central themes, and 35 open themes. The content of unpleasant emotions towards the betrayer includes feelings of anger, feelings of indifference, an insult to children, and the formation of pessimism. Unpleasant emotions towards the betrayed person included: feeling weak and dissatisfied, and unpleasant emotions towards oneself included: feeling fear, feeling uncomfortable, and feeling shame, and frustration. Overall, the results of this research showed that the emotional experience of adult children affected by parental infidelity was unpleasant and negative.