کیومرث کریمی

Objective: While the virtual space has positive functionalities, it can also have potentially harmful effects on families and couples. The present qualitative study aimed to explore the individual, interpersonal, and social factors that could help reduce marital infidelity in the virtual space, using a phenomenological method. Methods:  The statistical population of the study included couples with a history of virtual infidelity referred from the family court in Urmia city. The sample size consisted of 81 participants (12 women and 6 men) who were selected through non-random purposive sampling. The tool of the current research was a semi-structured interview that was conducted in the context of individual, interpersonal, and social factors influencing the prevention of marital infidelity in cyberspace. Results: The data were coded and analyzed using thematic coding. After coding the interviews and categorizing the themes, a total of 7 individual indicators (differentiation, avoiding extremes in marital life, foresight, preventing a crisis in life, strengthening individual competencies, maintaining physical and mental health, and possessing family, ethical, and spiritual competencies), 3 interpersonal indicators (the ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and nonverbally, the presence of intimacy in life, and diminishing interpersonal conflicts), and 4 social indicators (the nature of one’s job and economic status, the presence of stringent laws, promoting a healthy lifestyle, and the existence of diverse healthy and joyful programs in society) were identified. Conclusion: The results indicate that if couples possess the necessary individual and interpersonal skills and society provides the required actions and facilities, the likelihood of virtual infidelity may significantly decrease.

Aim: Marital infidelity is one of the important factors that threaten the marital bond between couples. Understanding the factors preventing marital infidelity is of great value in maintaining the stability and quality of marriage. The present study was conducted with the aim of explaining the effective individual, interpersonal and social indicators to reduce marital infidelity in virtual space with a qualitative approach and phenomenological method. Method: The statistical population of the research included One of the wives with a history of marital infidelity in cyberspace, referred from the family court of Urmia city in 2022, and for this purpose, a sample of 18 participants (13 women and 5 men) were selected using a non-probability and purposeful method. The tool of the current research was a semi-structured interview. The data were coded and analyzed using Brown and Clark thematic analysis . Results : the results of this research showed that there are a total of 14 sub-themes in line with the three main concepts including: individual factors with 7 sub-themes including (differentiation, avoiding extremes and excesses in common life, thinking about the consequences of uncontrolled communication, crisis management, strengthening individual competencies, having physical and mental health, and adhering to family, moral and spiritual values), Interpersonal factors with 3 sub-themes including (the ability to establish effective verbal and non-verbal communication, presence of determination in life, and dimming of interpersonal differences) and social factors with 4 sub-themes including (nature of job and economic situation, rule of strict laws, promotion of healthy lifestyle, and existence of happy and healthy programs) are effective as deterrents from extramarital relationships in the final model. Conclusion: It can be concluded that it is necessary to examine the factors that threaten the peace and stability of the family as the cornerstone of society. In the current research, it was found that a total of 14 sub-themes (including 7 sub-themes related to the individual factor, 3 sub-themes related to the interpersonal factor and 4 sub-themes related to the social factor) protect people from extramarital relationships. The results of this research can be used to help formulate preventive programs and interventions in the field of marital infidelity.