Seeking the Hiding: Working Through Parental Infidelity

Abstract
Patients whose parents have had affairs are impacted by such a rupture in myriad ways. The meaning of the affair for the child at the time and its connection to his or her current relationship and communication patterns may not be immediately apparent to patients when they first seek treatment. Gaining insight into the connection may be pivotal in helping patients understand and accept hidden parts of themselves, such as repressed or dissociated anger and jealousy. Using case studies, I explored these connections and how working through them provided relief and growth without patients succumbing to the desire to hide and avoid conflict and aggression.

Source: Clinical Social Work Journal - October 6, 2015 Category: Psychiatry & Psychology Source Type: research