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Swings and roundabouts: Management of jealousy in heterosexual ‘swinging’ couples
Author(s) -
Visser Richard,
McDonald Dee
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
british journal of social psychology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.855
H-Index - 98
eISSN - 2044-8309
pISSN - 0144-6665
DOI - 10.1348/014466606x143153
Subject(s) - jealousy , psychology , social psychology , romance , feeling , negotiation , identity (music) , developmental psychology , psychoanalysis , sociology , social science , physics , acoustics
Swinging involves consensual mutual involvement in extra‐dyadic sex. Jealousy in swinging couples is an interesting topic for social psychological research, because it is a common and acceptable response to a romantic partner's real or imagined infidelity. This qualitative study examined the management of jealousy among four active heterosexual swinging couples living in southern England. Participants highlighted the importance of discussion and negotiation to develop a shared couple identity and shared rules and boundaries that allowed them to manage jealousy so that they could better enjoy swinging. Rather than seeking to eliminate jealousy, swingers may manage their feelings of jealousy in order to increase sexual excitement and arousal. This study adds to our understanding of jealousy among swingers and the broader issue of jealousy in intimate relationships.