The Sex Addicted Mixed-Orientation Marriage: Examining Attachment Styles, Internalized Homophobia and Viability of Marriage After Disclosure

Abstract

This article explores attachment styles, internalized homophobia, and sex addiction in mixed-orientation marriage and discusses the viability of mixed-orientation marriages after a gay or bisexual sex addicted spouse (GBSAS) discloses. A retrospective examination of patient records revealed that most GBSAS identified with characteristics of avoidant-attachment style and used addictive behavior as a way to cope with their own internalized homophobia. The majority of wives of GBSAS identified with characteristics of anxious-attachment style and had some knowledge or suspicion of their husbands' attraction to other men. At discharge, two-thirds of the couples had plans to separate or divorce. A process for helping couples during crisis phase is reviewed.