Main description:

Jealousy is a human feeling experienced by everyone in varying intensities, at different times and phases of growth. Frequently confused, jealousy and envy are often intertwined. Even within the psychoanalytic literature confusion persists and much less has been written about jealousy than envy. However, unlike envy, jealousy involves three entities and affects all people involved. It can be painful as other difficult-to-bear feelings (e.g. shame, guilt anger, hatred) underlie jealousy. Yet, total absence of jealousy renders a person less human, less relational. In analytic terms jealousy is a defense against emotional anguish.

This book begins with an extensive overview of the nature, developmental origins and poignant cultural (especially poetic) allusions to jealousy, emphasizing that it is through artistic expression that a true understanding of this frequently deeply disturbing feeling is achieved. It closes with a thoughtful summary, synthesis and critique of the chapters by 12 distinguished analysts.

Contents:

INTRODUCTION

PROLOGUE

CHAPTER ONE The spectrum of jealousy: an introductory overview Salman Akhtar

PART I: DEVELOPMENTAL REALM

CHAPTER TWO Jealousy among mothers Maxine Anderson

CHAPTER THREE Sibling jealousy Brian M. Robertson

CHAPTER FOUR Jealousy, envy, and friendship in adolescent girls Christine Keiffer

CHAPTER FIVE Absence of jealousy Aleksandar Dimitrijevic

PART II: CULTURAL REALM

CHAPTER SIX Shakespeare and the 'green-eyed monster' of jealousy Richard Waugaman

CHAPTER SEVEN Race, sex, jealousy, and power Joel Des Rosiers

CHAPTER EIGHT Portrayals of jealousy in cinema Gregg Zeichner

PART III: CLINICAL REALM

CHAPTER NINE Retroactive jealousy Jack Novick and Kerry Kelly Novick

CHAPTER TEN Jealousy betwixt envy Judi Kobrick

CHAPTER ELEVEN Treating jealous patients Susan Kavaler-Adler

CHAPTER TWELVE Jealousy in countertransference Dhwani Shah

EPILOGUE

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

The anguish of triangulation: a concluding commentary Mary Kay O'Neil