Green Eyed (Step)Monsters Contributions & Limitations

Contributions and Limitations

The purpose of this study was to examine the presence, experience, and expression of jealously related emotions among parental stepfamily members. In-depth qualitative interviews revealed four overarching themes related to the presence, experience, and expression of negative emotion based on unresolved relationship digression(s), time invested in various familial relationships, structure of the familial relationship, and control over the emotions and actions of various family members.

Participants reported many strong negative emotions were tied to relationship transgressions. Many participants were hurt by the actions of former spouse whether it was related to the marital relationship or to issues related to the children. Marriages ended due to adultery, verbal, or emotional abuse, resulting in the presence of negative emotions. Parents were less than civil to each other or the stepparent(s) resulting in experiences and expressions of hurt and anger. Also, issues related to the children such as visitation and child support were indicated to be sources of strong emotional responses.

Time also played a major role in the presence, experience, and expression of emotions related to jealousy. Participants indicated the passing of time offered perspective and either worked to lesson the degree of the negative emotion, or made the emotions more intense. As participants moved on from the failed relationship, they were able to let go of some of the hurt. As the children grew older, intense feelings of jealousy related to time spent with the other parent or the stepparent lessened.

Also, the structure of the familial relationship played a role in participants’ perceptions of emotions related to jealousy. Stepmothers often felt they were the recipients of negative jealous emotions directed toward them by the biological mother and/or by the children. It is possible the mother saw the stepmother as threat and as competition for the affections of the children. Likewise, the children may have perceived the stepparent as competition for their parent’s affection.

Finally, participants indicated control over the emotions and actions of various family members leads to negative emotions related to jealousy, anger, and retaliation. Nonresidential parents in particular made references to a residential parent trying to influence, dictate, or control the nonresidential parent/ child interactions and visitation. Several nonresidential stepparents also felt one or both biological parents did not encourage relationship development with the children. Again, it is possible various family members were seen as a threat by the biological parent or parents.

Limitations of this study include a very homogeneous group of white lower to middle class upper Midwestern individuals. This could be due partially to the use of snowball sampling and partially to the limited amount of time dedicated to data collection. Secondly, with the exception of two couples, the perception of only one family member was offered. Future research should attempt to extend the data collection time period to allow the snowball sample to develop beyond one or two generations of contacts, encouraging a more diverse sample. Also, future research should strive to interview multiple family members to collect and compare different perspectives in order to get a more comprehensive picture of the family story and issues related to the presence, experience, and expression of jealousy related emotions within the stepfamily.

Results of this study are an initial attempt to extend the relatively limited research on jealousy in the stepfamily. Jealousy has the potential to be a volatile emotion (Bringle & Buunk, 1986), therefore, continued research is necessary to better understand factors related to jealousy and other negative emotions within all stepfamily relationships.