Journal of Social Science and Human Research Studies (JSSHRS)

Causes of Extramarital Affairs: Lessons for Social Workers and Child Rights Advocates

Bah, Yahya Muhammed

10 September 2025 · Vol. 1, Issue 3, pp. 13-27

DOI: 10.65150/EP-jsshrs/V1E3/2025-A009

Abstract

Seemingly, extramarital affair is occurring in all communities with substantial negative socio-economic and political consequences both on the couples, children and the neighborhoods; deserves urgent attention to address it. The rationale for the systematic literature review is to interrogate causes of the phenomenon, share knowledge to spark and inspire processes that will usher rapid growth from all directions. A systematic review of the literatures using information collected from different sources was actuated. Google search engine and others were used to search for articles. Only peer-reviewed articles published after 1999 were selected except extracts of fundamental mileage. However, articles published by staunch international organizations working in the area for years and produced indefatigable knowledge were stealthily appraised. The study revealed that the causes are multifaceted  and entail: cultural and traditional factors, strong desire for children, high level of education, loneliness, unattractive partner, lack of communication, poverty and financial hardships, lack of commitment to the marriage institution, dissatisfaction, access to the internet, lack of employment opportunities and working abroad, lack of personal boundaries, access to contraceptives, diseases and pandemics, substance abuse and drug addiction, domestic violence, lack of trust and respect, feeling unappreciated and care for, low level of education, normalization of infidelity, compulsive desire for sex, strong desire for revenge, stress at workplace, elevation in power, attachment style, childhood trauma, childhood exposure to infidelity, lack of moral standards and previous cheating, lack of religious commitment, low compatibility and empathy; and male dominance.

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Bah, & Yahya Muhammed (2025). Causes of Extramarital Affairs: Lessons for Social Workers and Child Rights Advocates. Journal of Social Science and Human Research Studies, 1(3), 13-27. https://doi.org/10.65150/EP-jsshrs/V1E3/2025-A009

@article{Bah2025,
  title   = {Causes of Extramarital Affairs: Lessons for Social Workers and Child Rights Advocates},
  author  = {Bah and Yahya Muhammed},
  journal = {Journal of Social Science and Human Research Studies},
  year    = {2025},
  volume  = {1},
  number  = {3},
  pages   = {13-27},
  doi     = {10.65150/EP-jsshrs/V1E3/2025-A009},
  url     = {https://doi.org/10.65150/EP-jsshrs/V1E3/2025-A009}
}

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