The Effect of Image Repair on Perceived Relationship Satisfaction after Infidelity

<p>In the wake of infidelity, romantic partners must decide how to move beyond the act of betrayal. Although infidelity can be concealed, sometimes others learn of the infidelity, which may impel a cheater to take steps to repair his or her image. This study examined the use of image repair on social media (Facebook), specifically the tactic of admitting responsibility, in the wake of infidelity. After reading a vignette describing infidelity by the male partner in a heterosexual relationship and viewing a social media post from the cheater, participants answered a series of questions about the couple’s perceived relationship satisfaction. Results indicated that there was no significant difference among the three social media posts (admittance of responsibility, no admittance of responsibility, and a control post) on perceived relationship satisfaction. Overall, perceptions of the couple following infidelity indicated low perceived relationship satisfaction. The findings suggest that efforts to repair one’s image through social media following infidelity may not have the desired effect. </p> <p> <em>Keywords:</em> Infidelity, Social Media, Image Repair Theory</p>

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Arts - Psychology

Level thesis:degree_level

Thesis

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Psychology

Year dc:date.available

2019

Author dc:creator

• Shields, Sydney M

Contributors dc:contributor

• Kyle E. Conlon, Ph.D.
• Lauren E. Brewer, Ph.D.
• Sylvia Middlebrook, Ph.D.

• Infidelity
• Social Media
• Image Repair Theory
• Social Psychology

Repository record dc:identifier

https://scholarworks.sfasu.edu/etds/281

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:scholarworks.sfasu.edu:etds-1251