Swings And Roundabouts - Jealousy In Heterosexual Swinging Couples

Introduction and objectives Swinging involves consensual mutual involvement in extra-dyadic sex, thereby breaching customary beliefs that marriage (and de facto marriage) should be based on monogamy. Jealousy in swinging couples is an interesting topic for research, because jealousy is a common and acceptable response to a romantic partner\'s real or imagined infidelity. Jealousy is also known to be harmful to relationships. So, how do heterosexual swinging couples manage the potentially destructive feelings of jealousy that are commonly associated with knowledge of a partner’s extra-dyadic sexual activity? Methods In-depth interviews were conducted with four actively swinging cohabiting heterosexual couples living in southern England recruited via swinging networks. Participants completed an individual interview and a joint interview with their partner. Data were analysed via Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis, the aim of which is to understand how people make sense of themselves and their experiences. Results Participants highlighted the importance of open 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. A key to managing the destructive potential of jealousy was the separation of physical sexual activity with other people from any emotional involvement with other people. Participants noted that rather than being inherently negative, jealousy and similar emotions could be used in productive ways in fantasy and to heighten arousal. Thus, rather than seeking to eliminate jealousy, swingers may manage their feelings of jealousy in order to heighten sexual excitement and arousal. Conclusions This study adds to our understanding of jealousy among swingers, and adds to our understanding of the broader issue of jealousy in intimate relationships. Crucial to couples’ ability to manage jealousy was the development of a couple identity and ongoing open discussion about and negotiation of relationship boundaries and rules.
Conflict of Interest: None disclosed
Financial Support/Funding: None disclosed
Sydney,  Australia, April 2007