The role of jealousy and infidelity in intimate partner violence against women: a qualitative meta-synthesis of five studies

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BACKGROUND: Jealousy and infidelity are frequently identified as key drivers of intimate partner violence (IPV) yet remain underexplored in IPV prevention programming and inadequately conceptualised in measurement frameworks. This study presents the first known meta-synthesis to compare findings across contexts, enhance interpretation, and generate transferable mid-range theories that elucidate the role of jealousy and infidelity in IPV. METHODS: Using a meta-ethnographic approach, we synthesised findings from five purposively sampled qualitative studies produced by a joint Collaboration of authors, one in Ecuador (n = 100) and four in African countries: Ethiopia (n = 30), Rwanda (n = 224), Tanzania (n = 48) and Uganda (n = 40). Across all studies, women and men in heterosexual intimate relationships, aged 16-70 years were included. RESULTS: The analysis identified 46 second-order and five third-order constructs linking jealousy and infidelity to physical, sexual, economic and psychological IPV, including controlling behaviours. At the community level findings highlighted traditional gender norms and community gossip that could fuel jealousy as mechanisms of controlling women's behaviour. At the relational level male jealousy was instrumentalised as a socially acceptable means of controlling women, such as feigning jealousy to coerce sex. In contrast, women's expressions of jealousy were typically more constrained, and often expressed through subverting traditional roles (e.g. refusing sex), which could result in violent consequences. At the individual level jealousy and infidelity were perceived as resulting from failure to adhere to hegemonic gender roles, further exacerbating IPV risk. CONCLUSIONS: To be effective, IPV prevention programmes must support the dismantling of patriarchal hierarchies while simultaneously addressing backlash to shifts in traditional gender norms. Interventions should also target jealousy and suspicions of infidelity to foster safer and more equitable relationships. Addressing these community, relational and individual dimensions is essential for mitigating the complex dynamics of jealousy, infidelity and IPV.

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