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Emotional infidelity in marriage, according to adultery statistics is, unfortunately, a growing trend in today’s society and may well be one of the leading factors in why separation and divorce between husbands and wives is spiraling out of control.

An extra-marital affair can turn out to be the last straw in an already shaky relationship. And, regardless of whether the illicit affair was physical or emotional, any type of infidelity in a marriage is very difficult for either spouse to handle.

photo credit: Ed Yourdon

Often, a marriage affected by a emotional cheating has many tell-tale signs of relationship problems well before the eventual break up. So, how can you circumvent infidelity in a marriage caused by unfulfilled emotional needs? What are your best strategies for “nipping it [cheating] in the bud”, so to speak?

Avoiding Infidelity In Marriage.

The answer is to deal with issues and problems in your marriage when they happen, and never allow them to escalate to the stage where an affair becomes a matter of course! Sounds simple enough, doesn’t it? Then, why do so many marriages fall victim to adulterous relationships and resulting divorce?

Coping with difficult situations or issues within a marriage isn’t a task that many couples relish. Most people would much rather side-step marital troubles and hope that they’ll somehow heal themselves over time. Wishful thinking at best, huh?

The worst case scenario that many couples fall into is that they simply pretend that things aren’t as bad as they seem. But, ignoring or playing down marital problems won’t make them disappear! It only provides a perfect breeding ground for problems to multiply and get out of hand, and open up the possibility of infidelity in marriage becoming a reality.

Dealing With Emotional Causes Of Infidelity

It might be reasonable to argue the point that an affair, or an unfaithful spouse is, in general, a product of marital problems and discontentment within the relationship.

Let’s look at two situations that, if left unchecked and allowed to fester, could quite possibly lead to a spouse seeking an emotional affair outside of the marriage.

1. Lack of “Real” Communication Between Husband and Wife.

Call it “emotional distance” if you like, but it basically refers to the inability of one or both parties involved in a marriage to communicate their feelings, thoughts, ideas and emotions effectively. In simpler terms, there is a communication breakdown between the couple.

Being able and willing to share how you honestly feel about the state of your marriage, and your hopes and desires for it, is paramount for your relationship to work, and this is even more critically important in a marital situation.

Working at improving how you talk to and discuss things with your spouse is essential. Being upfront and clear about how you feel, as well as nurturing an environment where both of you feel safe to do so, can only enhance and strengthen your marriage.

And, while nothing can be guaranteed 100%, at least, by taking positive, proactive steps to improve you communication and spending more time with one another, the possibility of emotional cheating by either spouse is somewhat reduced.

If you believe that you need to spend more time with your spouse then say so. Schedules need to be looked at and plans need to be adjusted so the two of you can have quality time together. Spending time, really getting to know one another, is a classic way to defeat ‘emotional distance’ in a relationship.

2. Money, Money, Money! Financial Problems and Infidelity.

Lack of money or the inability to meet financial commitments can lead to a spouse having an emotional affair outside the marriage.

photo credit: Pacdog

If a husband or wife has the responsibility of handling the household finances and is struggling under the weight of trying to make ends meet, coping with debt or worried about losing their job, the pressure and stress can sometimes be too great to bear all on their own. They are looking for what they require in the way of support and, if that support isn’t forthcoming from within the marriage, they will look for, and inevitably find, the nearest shoulder to lean on to get that much needed consolation.

To help stop this kind of situation from evolving, the solution hinges, once again, on open and honest communication between you and your spouse. Just being there, and discussing any issues causing financial concern, will provide the emotional stability that’s required.

Obviously there are other causes of infidelity in a marriage that are not covered in this short article. And, while it’s often stated that a spouse, especially women, finds it much more difficult to forgive emotional infidelity (sometimes incorrectly spelt `infedelity`) than any other type of cheating in marriage or a relationship, a quick analysis of the two situations mentioned here underlines the absolute importance of meaningful communication between husband and wife and how easy it can be used to nullify the problem.

If your relationship is worth saving, then it’s up to you to give it your best shot to build a successful and happy marriage.