One of the most common causes of breakups is infidelity. This happens when one partner has an affair outside their current relationship. When this occurs, there are usually lingering feelings for the person who was cheated on. These can lead to attraction towards them even after the couple separates. While it may seem like these lingering attractions could be harmless, they actually have negative effects on sexual satisfaction, relational fidelity, and emotional health.
Let's look at how lingering attractions affect sexual satisfaction. After a relationship ends, many people find themselves having trouble achieving orgasms or being satisfied during sex. This is often because they have unresolved feelings for their ex-partner that interfere with their ability to focus on their new partner. They may also feel guilty about cheating on their former lover and worry about what would happen if they were caught. As a result, they may not enjoy sex as much as they used to.
Let's examine how lingering attractions impact relational fidelity. If someone still has strong feelings for their ex, they may be more likely to engage in risky behaviors such as flirting with other people or seeking out relationships with similarities to their past ones. This behavior could ultimately lead to another breakup, which would further damage any remaining trust between partners.
Individuals may continue to compare their current relationship to their previous one, leading to dissatisfaction with both partners.
Let's consider how lingering attractions can negatively affect emotional health. Individuals who struggle to move on from an ex-partner may experience anxiety, depression, or other mental health issues related to heartbreak and rejection. They may obsess over their ex, leading to decreased productivity at work or school. They may even isolate themselves socially, avoiding friends and family members who might remind them of their ex. In extreme cases, these individuals may turn to substance abuse or self-harm as a way to cope with the pain.
Lingering attractions towards ex-partners can cause serious harm to sexual satisfaction, relational fidelity, and emotional health. It is important that individuals seek professional help if they are struggling with these issues, so they can move forward healthily and find closure.
How do lingering attractions to ex-partners affect sexual satisfaction, relational fidelity, and emotional health?
Attractions to ex-partners can have negative effects on both sexual satisfaction and relational fidelity. Research suggests that individuals who continue to experience romantic feelings towards an ex-partner may find it more difficult to move on from the relationship and form new ones (Lefkowitz & Watkins, 2015). This is because they may compare their current partner unfavorably to their former one and feel guilty about their infidelity (Watson et al.