Little research in the couple and family therapy field has specifically addressed the influence of infidelity on members of the family outside the couple subsystem. The purpose of this exploratory quantitative study was to utilize the lens of contextual therapy to explore the influence of parental infidelity and inter-parental conflict on the vertical relational ethics of adult children (N = 703), including subscales measuring trust and justice, loyalty and entitlement. Results from multiple regression analyses demonstrated that both higher levels of inter-parental conflict and the occurrence of parental infidelity were associated with lower levels of vertical relational ethics, which often takes the form of decreased trust among family members and an increased potential for loyalty conflicts. Implications for addressing relational dynamics related to parental infidelity through systemic family therapy, as well as recommendations for future research, are discussed.Practitioner points • Therapeutic assessment should examine how transgenerational infidelity and conflict patterns between partners influence parentchild relationships. • Acknowledge young and adult children who feel caught in a split loyalty between parents and how they cope with these loyalty conflicts. • Engage clients in dialogue concerning how to restore the balance of offering and receiving care, support, and connection within family's unique cultural context.

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