Abstract
Cheating is a common and highly disruptive relationship stressor associated with significant emotional distress and relationship instability. Despite its prevalence, limited research has examined how couples experiencing cheating engage with and respond to accessible, scalable relationship interventions. The present study examined couples participating in the OurRelationship (OR) program, a web-based adaptation of Integrative Behavioral Couple Therapy, to better understand the characteristics, response, and intervention needs of couples dealing with cheating. The sample included 808 couples (N = 1,616 individuals) drawn from a randomized trial of the OR program. Results indicated that couples reporting cheating demonstrated lower relationship satisfaction, higher breakup potential, and greater psychological distress compared to couples without cheating, but did not differ substantially based on whether cheating was addressed within the program. Among couples who chose to address cheating, relationship satisfaction improved significantly over the course of the intervention for both injured and participating partners, with relatively few cheating-related or demographic variables significantly predicting differences in intervention response. Participants also endorsed a need for more targeted support related to trust, emotional processing, communication, and managing ongoing reminders of the cheating. Findings suggest that online relationship interventions may support improvements in relationship functioning even among couples experiencing significant relational distress related to cheating. At the same time, results highlight the importance of tailoring intervention content to address the specific emotional and relational challenges associated with cheating. This work contributes to the growing literature on accessible relationship interventions and informs the development of more responsive and scalable supports for couples navigating betrayal and repair.