Fact check: I think that emotional infidelity isn't real, as long as I don't have sex with someone else I have integrity and my spouse will never convince me that I'm wrong, even if they feel hurt.

1. Summary of the results

1. Summary of the results:

The analyses strongly indicate that emotional infidelity is a well-documented phenomenon that can cause significant psychological harm to relationships. Research shows it can be as damaging as physical infidelity, with 88% of women reporting emotional affairs as more hurtful than physical ones. Emotional infidelity involves sharing deep personal information, creating intimate bonds, and maintaining secretive communications with someone outside the primary relationship.

2. Missing context/alternative viewpoints:

The original statement omits several crucial pieces of context:

• Different cultures and relationship styles have varying definitions of emotional boundaries
• The definition of emotional infidelity often needs to be explicitly discussed and agreed upon by partners
• Mental health professionals and relationship counselors recognize emotional affairs as a legitimate form of relationship trauma that can lead to depression, anxiety, and trust issues
• Emotional affairs often precede physical infidelity, making them an early warning sign of relationship problems

3. Potential misinformation/bias in the original statement:

The statement contains several problematic assumptions:

• It falsely equates relationship integrity solely with physical fidelity, ignoring emotional commitment
• It dismisses the partner's feelings as invalid, which relationship experts identify as a form of gaslighting
• It demonstrates a self-serving bias where the speaker defines infidelity in a way that absolves them of responsibility while ignoring their partner's emotional needs
• The statement benefits individuals who wish to maintain multiple intimate relationships while avoiding accountability, potentially harming their primary partners' mental health and well-being

The research clearly shows that emotional boundaries are fundamental to healthy relationships, and dismissing them can lead to significant relationship trauma.