The Effectiveness of Cognitive Therapy in the Treatment of Non-Psychotic Morbid Jealousy

Abstract

BackgroundAlthough a cognitive–behavioural formulation of morbid jealousy has been described there is little empirical research into the practical usefulness of this model. This study evaluated the effectiveness of treating non-psychotic morbid jealousy using a cognitive approach.MethodCognitive–behavioural and emotional measures of jealousy were calibrated by comparison with 40 non-jealous normal controls. These instruments were used as measures of change to assess the effectiveness of cognitive therapy in altering cognitive errors in 30 morbidly jealous out-patient referrals, divided into delayed and immediate treatment subgroups to assess the stability of the condition. Both groups completed all measures immediately before and after treatment, and at follow-up.ResultsThe instruments demonstrated significant differences between jealous and non-jealous subjects on cognitive–behavioural and emotional aspects of jealousy. The delayed treatment group showed no significant alteration in scores on any of the instruments after 12 weeks on the waiting list, confirming the stability of the condition. In the majority of cases cognitive therapy aimed at the modification of dysfunctional cognitive processes resulted in a significant improvement on all jealousy measures, immediately after treatment and at follow-up. The improvement reported by patients was supported by the partner's ratings.ConclusionThe results support the postulation of the cognitive model that modification of cognitive schema by a schema-focused treatment package results in a significant reduction in disturbance in all aspects of the jealousy syndrome.