Jealousy: theory, research, and clinical strategies

Abstract

An old and recurring theme in human relationships, jealousy has been captured in myth, drama, literature, dance, sculpture, and painting, as well as in the popular press. Jealousy is also major cause of murder, spousal violence, and marital breakdown. It has been estimated that up to 20% of all murders involve jealous lover, and, in nation-wide survey of marriage counselors, jealousy was cited as a (if not the) major focus of treatment for about third of all couples under 50. However, despite the rich array of commentary, the empirical study of this universal phenomenon is still in its infancy. Providing an important advance, this groundbreaking volume is the first to offer comprehensive review of modern research on romantic jealousy. It offers conceptual framework for ordering past research, an up-to-date review of the literature from diverse sources and fields, and useful clinical strategies for practitioners and clinicians in training. This volume concentrates on romantic jealousy, which the authors define as neither an emotion, state of mind, nor way of behaving, but rather as multi-system phenomenon involving personality, relationships, culture, and perhaps biology. This model serves to integrate remaining chapters, yields richer theory, and engenders flexible clinical perspective. The book opens by presenting model of romantic jealousy that integrates research and clinical phenomena. It then offers analyses of several different perspectives including: sociobiological and personality approaches; ways in which relationship characteristics and dynamics contribute to jealousy; gender differences; and cultural and social factors that affect jealousy. Chapters on clinical concerns focus on violence, psychopathology, and the assessment and treatment of normal, reactive, and symptomatic jealousies. Specific strategies are provided with clinical, real-life, and cross-cultural case examples used throughout. Providing both theory and practical suggestions for understanding and treating romantic jealousy from individual and couples therapeutic approaches, JEALOUSY is an invaluable resource for clinicians and researchers in psychology, psychotherapy, marital and family therapy, psychiatry, and social work. The volume serves as primary or secondary text in advanced undergraduate and graduate seminars in social psychology of interpersonal relationships, emotions, personality or clinical psychology, couples relationships, and interdisciplinary courses linking culture and the individual. Because it discusses the relationship between violence and jealousy, it also provides insightful reading for lawyers, criminologists, and law enforcement officials.

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