SHE WANTED out, but he was determined to hold on to the relationship. He believed she had found a new man and wanted to break off their four-year-old love affair that had produced a daughter.

The relationship came to a bloody end a week ago when 22-year-old Trishana Sewell, her mother and stepfather were attacked at home. Her mother, Heather James, was shot at least six times and stepfather Patrick Letman also received several shots.

Sewell was pinned down inside her bedroom, where she was shot and killed, a day after her position at a food establishment was made redundant. Her aunt, Annita Dawkins, believed the motive behind the attack was jealousy.

jealousy

Consultant Clinical Psychologist Dr Karen Richards describes jealousy as a feeling of rejection, which can become deadly when converted to hate and anger. Dr Richards further explains: "A warning sign of jealousy is that you usually notice a sort of dictator-like behaviour, threat, verbal abuse, pushing, until it escalates."

Consultant psychiatrist for the Jamaica Constabulary Force, Dr George Leverage, who also worked in the penal system for several years, warns that it is best for one to know exactly what one is getting into before involving oneself in an intimate relationship.

He says jealousy is a power issue associated with many negative emotions and can be detrimental.

The Reverend Al Miller, pastor of Fellowship Tabernacle in St Andrew, is encouraging persons involved in jealous relationships to seek counselling and not just sit and work things out by themselves.

He explains that because of the decrease in morals and values in the society, there is the possibility that jealousy will increase.

"Because some of our men are so promiscuous and believe they should have an abundance of women, they create an insecure environment for the women," says Miller, who has had to counsel a number of spouses in jealous relationships.

On the other hand, if a woman cheats on her spouse, Miller states, the man's anger level rises because he feels disrespected by his woman.

"His pride is hurt," says Miller. He further warns that persons who are jealous but speak little about the issue will resort to physical force, while those who speak tend to be less violent.

'A warning sign of jealousy is that you usually notice a sort of dictator-like behaviour, threat, verbal abuse, pushing, until it escalates.'