Understanding romantic jealousy: an analysis of both partners' perspectives using an attribution framework
Date
2010
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Publisher
University of Delaware
Abstract
This research aimed to explore the impact of an individual admitting romantic jealousy to his/her partner and the effects of this admission on the formation of his/her communicative responses. This research includes a proposed model that examines a four-step process that begins with the creation of attributions following the event, moves to emotions before goal generation, and concludes with the construction of communicative responses. The proposed model suggests how the individual that reports romantic jealousy corresponds with his/her partner affects the other’s analogous journey when responding to his/her communication. Three hundred and forty three undergraduate students (n = 343) completed questionnaires assessing attributions, emotional responses, relational or individual goals, and communicative responses to their partner’s communication about the event. Analyses suggest the cognitive and emotional components of the model are separate but equally influence the creation of avoidant, constructive or destructive communication. Consequently, a revised model which reflects this change is provided. The original and revised models in this research bring together many aspects of the experience of a partner admitting romantic jealousy to another individual and advocate how this episode unfolds. This research bridges gaps in prior investigations and stimulates directions for future research.