Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Social Work (MSW)

Department

Social Work

Program Name/Specialization

Individuals, Families, and Groups

Faculty/School

Lyle S. Hallman Faculty of Social Work

First Advisor

Dr. Eliana Suarez

Advisor Role

Advisor

Second Advisor

Dr. Martha Kumsa

Third Advisor

Dr. Mirna Carranza

Abstract

Being in a relationship with someone who is sexually addicted has been recognized as disorienting and painful. What is lacking in the literature is inclusion of the voices of those individuals who have been affected by his behaviour. This study attempts to capture the phenomenon experienced by those individuals who are in a relationship with a person who is sexually addicted. Twelve women, who identified being in a current or past relationship with a person who is sexually addicted, participated in qualitative interviews where they were encouraged to share their experiences. The interviews were analyzed within the transcendental phenomenological framework. Three themes were identified: discovery/acknowledgment, living with the knowing, and healing. Within these themes, a number of sub-themes were identified. These findings are discussed and examined, contributing new insight to the current literature regarding individuals who have experienced this phenomenon.

Convocation Year

2015

Convocation Season

Spring

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