Jealousy And Relationship Satisfaction

Jealousy and Relationship Satisfaction 1

Jealousy and Relationship Satisfaction

Alaina Nunn, Elizabeth Payne, Alyssa Pettiway and Chelsea Perkins

James Madison University Jealousy and Relationship Satisfaction 2

Introduction

A student sees her boyfriend give a seemingly flirtatious smile to another female student.

This small act stirs up a feeling called jealousy, defined as a response to an identified threat to a valued relationship (Hansen, 1991). This threat can be from a variety of sources, including a potential rival romantic partner or time spent away from the partner for other activities such as work or hobbies. This emotion is extremely common and is experienced at some point in the majority of romantic relationships. Many studies suggest that the presence of jealousy is related to relationship satisfaction in a dyad (Bevan, 2008; Goodboy, Horon, & Booth-Butterfield,

2012). By understanding this relationship, one can significantly improve his or her relationship satisfaction and understand the different types, causes, and methods to manage or communicate jealousy.

Most studies of jealousy and relational satisfaction concentrate on married couples or siblings. Therefore, the current study will focus on the relationship between jealousy and relational satisfaction among college dating couples in order to expand the range of research. In the following pages, this literature review will further discuss the definition of jealousy, as well as communicative behaviors and responses to this emotion. Most importantly, the review will discuss previous research on the relationship between jealousy and relational satisfaction.

Literature Review

Jealousy

Communicating and experiencing jealousy is evident in any romantic relationship.

According to White (1981), the definition of jealousy is:

A complex of thoughts, emotions, and actions that follows loss of or threat to self-

esteem and/or the existence or quality of the romantic relationship when the perceived Jealousy and Relationship Satisfaction 3

loss or threat is generated by the perception of a real or potential romantic attraction

between one’s partner and a (perhaps imaginary) rival (p. 130).

In another study, Bevan (2004) agrees with Hansen’s (1991) definition of jealousy as “a protective reaction to a perceived threat to a valued relationship, arising from a situation in which the partner’s involvement with an activity and/or another person is contrary to the jealous partner’s definition of their relationship” (p. 196). According to Guerrero, Hannawa & Babin

(2011), jealousy is an emotion familiar to human beings. In romantic relationships, the majority of people will be exposed to and will be involved in jealousy. Guerrero et al (2011) also believes that jealousy happens when one individual somehow sees a third party as a threat to the relationship he or she is involved in (p. 246).

Partners can use jealousy as a relational maintenance behavior in order to feel stability and to feel cared for in a romantic relationship. Relational maintenance behaviors are considered to be the actions and activities relational partners use to maintain a desired relationship in the form of both positive and negative behaviors (Goodboy & Myers, 2010). Dainton and Gross

(2008) explain that jealousy can be considered a negative maintenance strategy and partners can become jealous because they do not feel like they are benefiting from the relationship. In situations where jealousy is occurring, the primary concern is the exclusiveness of the relationship (Hupka, Buunk, Falus, Fulgosi, Ortega, Swain & Tarabrina, 1985). People in relationships have the desire to be considered the prominent source of attention and satisfaction for their partners (Hupka et al,1985). And Parrott and Smith (1993) note that the more dating partners are committed, satisfied, and invested in their relationships, the less likely they are to experience romantic jealousy. Further, the more perceived quality of alternatives they reported having, the more they experienced romantic jealousy (Bevan, 2008). Jealousy and Relationship Satisfaction 4

Goodboy and Myers (2010) investigated the relationship between relational partner’s use of negative relational maintenance behaviors and perceived relational quality indicators (i.e., relationship satisfaction, commitment, respect, etc.). They found that high quality romantic relationships are less likely to use negative maintenance behaviors to achieve attention from the opposite partner and low quality relationships are most likely to exhibit questionable and negative maintenance behaviors (Goodboy & Myers, 2010).

Studies suggest that marital status of a dyad has a significant impact on the degree of jealousy induced and the level of partner uncertainty subsequent to jealousy situations (Kennedy-

Lightsey & Booth-Butterfield, 2011). As Kennedy-Lightsey and Booth-Butterfield (2011) explain, dating partners are more likely to experience uncertainty in their partner after a jealousy- induced situation than are married couples. Their study also noted different causes of situations that inspire jealousy, including the individual’s desire for autonomy, devotion, and wishing to spend more time at work or with his or her friends.

Individuals often seek relationship partners who they deem to be as equally desirable as they are (Sidelinger & Booth-Butterfield, 2007). Therefore, when partners are relatively equal in physical attraction, opportunity, capability, giving and receiving of attention, and education, jealousy is less likely to occur. Jealousy is more likely when these items are not similar in degree, most significantly in regards to jealousy of a partner’s interaction with someone else rather than the partner’s opportunities or accomplishments (Kennedy-Lightsey & Booth-

Butterfield, 2011). Furthermore, jealousy that stems from distrust or fear of betrayal is significantly more common when partners have higher levels of relationship uncertainty and lower levels of relationship satisfaction (Knobloch & Solomon, 2002). Jealousy and Relationship Satisfaction 5

Goodboy, Horon, and Booth-Butterfield (2012) examined the use of jealousy-evoking behaviors in romantic relationships. An example of jealousy evocation would be a girl showing her partner the flirtatious text-messages she received from a member of the opposite sex in order to provoke her partner’s attention. She wants to know that her partner cares about her. The study noted that jealousy-evoking tactics typically “lead to a partner response orientation (i.e., aggression, withdrawal, improvement), which ends in either a change in efficacy or relational improvement” (p. 372). This means that jealousy in a relationship has the ability to either create relational satisfaction via stability or relational dissatisfaction via uncertainty.

Goodboy et al. (2012) examined the variables of (a) affection received from a partner and

(b) love styles: eros (passionate love), ludus (game-playing), storge (friendship), pragma

(practical), mania (jealous and obsessive), and agape (self-less) (Lee, 1973; Regan, 2008). The study sought to discover if romantic partners’ intentional use of jealousy-evoking behavior in their relationship was dependent on the amount of affection they received from that partner and perceived love styles. They found that affectionate communication provides a buffer for jealousy-evoking tendencies. Goodboy et al (2012) justified that “because affectionate communication in relationships is associated with a host of positive relational characteristics (i.e. relationship satisfaction, self-esteem, mental health, happiness, liking, and love), it is likely that jealousy-evocation attempts are unneeded because the relationship is currently in a stable and desired state” (Goodboy et al., 2012, p 380). It was also revealed that ludus and mania lovers are likely to use jealousy-evoking behavior, even if they receive significant amounts of affection from their partner. Mania lovers, were also shown to use jealousy-evoking behavior in their relationship(s), but because mania lovers are very emotional and uncertain about commitment, they may be using jealousy evocation to obtain relationship assurances and stability. Jealousy and Relationship Satisfaction 6

Jealousy can create relational benefits, but it can also cause conflict, thus, jealousy in relationships can be a double-edged sword. It can be a mechanism to enhance a partner’s security, yet it can have detrimental repercussions to the relationship. Research suggests that general communicative responses to jealousy are either pointed towards the other person in the relationship or towards the outside person evoking the jealousy, purposed to discover something or make repairs, and rated either in a positive or negative way (Goodboy et al., 2012). Despite potential negative repercussions, romantic partners may try to purposefully make their partners jealous to test their degree of commitment and love.

Relationship Satisfaction

Although the relationship between jealousy and romantic relationship satisfaction has been studied extensively, there is less research on this interaction within college students’ relationships. Though exceptions have been found, there is generally a negative relationship between these two variables (Bevan, 2008). The more satisfied, secure, and invested that individuals are in their relationships, the less likely they tend to experience jealousy in their romantic lives, and the more likely that their relationship is to continue (Bevan, 2008; Knox,

Zusman, Mabon & Shriver, 1999). On the other hand, in cases where there was greater romantic jealousy, it often coincided with a perceived quality of alternatives reported to exist (Bevan,

2008).

Extending the association between jealousy and relational satisfaction, studies have found that cognitive jealousy (which is the act of engaging in jealous or suspicious thoughts) is a stronger predictor of relational satisfaction than emotional jealousy (which is how often an individual feels emotions connected with jealousy during jealousy-inducing situations)

(Andersen, Eloy, Guerrero & Spitzberg, 1995). They also concluded that jealousy expression had Jealousy and Relationship Satisfaction 7 a significantly greater impact on variance in relational satisfaction than merely the existence of jealousy. As Andersen, et al. (1995) stated, “The way partners communicate jealousy to one another is likely to be associated with satisfaction, particularly since relational satisfaction, relational stability, love and communication are highly interdependent” (p. 78). This statement is echoed in several other studies (e.g., Baxter, 1988; Guererro, 1994; Hendrick, 1988), which express the different effects that integrative communication, negative affect communication, and distributive communication have on perceived relational satisfaction.

Research has found that the use of integrative communication (i.e. characterized as being

“affectively positive, involving more agreement, humor, involvement and negotiation”) is more likely to promote relationship satisfaction (Andersen et al, 1995; Guerrero, Farinelli & McEwan,

2009). In contrast, negative affect communication (i.e., “defensive, critical, complaining, reactive and contingent communication” (p. 78)) and distributive or avoidant communication defined (i.e.

“shifting the topic, leaving the scene, and withdrawing emotionally” (p. 78)) are less likely to induce relational satisfaction (Andersen et al, 1995; Guerrero, Farinelli, McEwan, 2009).

“Relationship satisfaction is one of the major established areas of relationship assessment, with numerous measures to assess feelings, thoughts, or behaviors within the […] relationship”

(Hendrick, 1988, p. 93). Through interactions, people display the full range of emotions.

Satisfying relationships produce more joy and contentment, while dissatisfying relationships may contain higher levels of anxiety, depression, and loneliness (Guerrero, 1994). The way that relational partners are perceived to handle negative emotion is connected to the assessment of both communication competence and relational satisfaction (Guerrero, 1994). Jealousy and Relationship Satisfaction 8

Rationale

The purpose of our study is to evaluate the relationship between jealousy and romantic relationship satisfaction among dating college students. The authors of this study chose to research college students (18-24 years old) in romantically committed heterosexual relationships for a variety of reasons. First, college students endure a combination of external pressures foreign to other age groups of people. To name a few: the increased amount of homework, transitioning from high school to college, time management, part-time jobs, volunteer opportunities, and extracurricular activities (see Light, 2001 for these and more pressures on college students). Additionally, college students also experience peer pressure to engage in activities involving alcohol, drugs, and sex, and the financial pressure of having to pay for college (whether the pressure is placed on the student or the family). Along with all of these pressures, a romantically committed relationship increases the amount of pressure college students face. It is not that non-college students do not have these same pressures, but that college students have to face an increased number of these pressures all at the same time, whereas non-college students may face them in various stages of life. College stressors make this study unique compared to the type of participants being studied in similar research. College stressors may increase one’s experience of jealousy and could possibly influence one’s relationship satisfaction.

The relationship between romantic relationship satisfaction and jealousy has been studied before, but the authors of this study wanted to narrow their research by focusing specifically on college students. Based on a review of previous literature, the authors believe that college students experience a range of pressures and stressors occurring in the same time span that are foreign to other people. Therefore, based on previous research on the connection between Jealousy and Relationship Satisfaction 9 relationship satisfaction and jealousy and the pressure put on college students, it is hypothesized that:

H1: As a college student’s relationship satisfaction increases, his or her feelings of jealousy will decrease.

Methods

In order to examine the hypothesis, the variables in this study were amount of jealousy and relationship satisfaction.

Participants

The study was offered to students taking classes at JMU and other schools through email, faculty announcements, and Facebook. The full ranges of students in these courses in terms of sex and race/ethnicity/national origin were recruited for participation. However, only students who were (1) 18 to 23 years old, (2) currently involved in a heterosexual romantically committed relationship, and (3) enrolled in college could participate. There were 118 total participants, including 84 females, 18 males and 16 individuals who chose not to answer the demographic items. Of these participants, ages ranged from 18 to 23 years old with 20.1 years old as the average age. The ethnicity of the participants that completed the demographic questions included

91 who identified themselves as Caucasian/White, one as Hispanic, five as Asian/Pacific

Islander, one as Black, and four who chose not to specify. Of the participants, 89 claimed they were in a committed, heterosexual relationship while 11 said they were not in a committed relationship, nine reported to be single, one reported to not be in a heterosexual relationship, two said they were married, and two chose not to specify. In addition to explicitly stating the requirements, the online description explained the specific purpose of the study and provided an outline of procedures so that participants knew exactly what was expected of them. Jealousy and Relationship Satisfaction 10

Procedures

Participants received an email from either the researchers, their professor, or through

Facebook and were asked to participate in the survey by clicking the provided link. After clicking the link, participants were taken to the researchers’ survey hosted by JMU Qualtrics.

After reading the cover letter, participants responded to two 5-point Likert scales and then filled out their demographic information. At the end of the survey, participants were given the opportunity to identify themselves in order to receive extra credit. Participants were then able to close out of their browser with the survey completed.

Measurements

Jealousy. In order to measure the variable of amount of jealousy felt in the relationship, participants completed the Jealousy Scale, which evaluated 9 statements using a 5-point Likert scale, with 1 being strongly disagree and 5 being strongly agree. Sample items included, “I am comfortable with my partner interacting with members of the opposite sex,” and “I think my partner would cheat on me given the chance.”

Relationship satisfaction. In order to measure the variable of amount of relationship satisfaction felt in the relationship, participants completed the Relationship Satisfaction Scale, which evaluated 10 statements using a 5-point Likert scale, with 1 being strongly disagree and 5 being strongly agree. Sample items included, “I am satisfied with the relationship my partner and

I have,” and “My partner fulfills my needs.”

Results Method of Analysis

Due to the fact that our two variables (jealousy and relationship satisfaction) were interval, we decided to use a Pearson Correlation. We wanted to see whether there was a Jealousy and Relationship Satisfaction 11 relationship between our two variables. Our hypothesis stated that as a college student’s relationship satisfaction increased, his or her feelings of jealousy would decrease.

Reliability Analysis

We created the scales for our study and named them The Jealousy Scale and The

Relationship Satisfaction Scale. In order to achieve higher reliability, we had to remove only one item from The Jealousy Scale (“I perceive to be getting the attention I need.”), which left us with nine items and a cronbach’s alpha of .76. With The Relationship Scale we did not have to delete any of our ten items because our cronbach’s alpha was .92 with all items.

Findings

For this study, our hypothesis predicted that as jealousy increased, relationship satisfaction would decrease and our findings revealed that this hypothesis was supported. This study revealed a moderately negative relationship such that as jealousy increases, relationship satisfaction decreases, r(104) = -.368, p < .001.

Discussion

Results

The purpose of our study was to evaluate the relationship between relationship satisfaction and jealousy of college students in heterosexual romantic relationships. Our hypothesis proposed a negative relationship between the two interval variables of relationship satisfaction and jealousy, stating that as a college student’s jealousy increases, his or her feelings of relationship satisfaction will decrease. Analyses revealed a moderate, negative relationship between the two variables, supporting our hypothesis. These findings are consistent with previous research on jealousy and relationship satisfaction (e.g., Bevan, 2008), which found that partners who experienced increased jealousy concurrently experienced less relationship Jealousy and Relationship Satisfaction 12 satisfaction. Likewise, Knobloch and Solomon (2002) stated that jealousy was more common among partners who felt low levels of relationship satisfaction.

Research Design

This study contained several strengths and weaknesses in its research design. First, both dependent variable scales achieved high reliabilities (The Relationship Satisfaction Scale being

0.92 and The Jealousy Scale being 0.76). The reliability analyses supported that the items on the scale accurately measured jealousy and relationship satisfaction. The experiment also included a random sample of the targeted population and maintained the anonymity of the participants.

Furthermore, the results and hypothesis supported by the experiment were consistent with previous research on the relationship between jealousy and relationship satisfaction. However, because the targeted population of this study was college students in heterosexual romantic relationships, the results are not generalizable to or representative of the general public.

Procedural problems of the experiment included the collection of data from some individuals who did not meet the requirements for this study, which were being in a heterosexual romantic relationship and being a college student. Of the 118 participants, 89 participants claimed they were in a committed, heterosexual relationship while 11 said they were not in a committed relationship, nine reported to be single, one reported to not be in a heterosexual relationship, two reported they were married, and two chose not to specify.

Another issue was the prominence of item nonresponse by participants, as 16 individuals did not complete the demographic information items of the survey. Of the 102 participants who did answer the biological sex item, 84 were female while only 18 reported to be male. This inherently limits the ability to generalize the study’s findings to both male and female college students. The extremely low number of male participants in the study may have heavily Jealousy and Relationship Satisfaction 13 influenced the mean scores of relationship satisfaction and jealousy. It is possible that relationship satisfaction in women may be more affected by jealousy than it is affected in men.

In light of this issue, the authors of the study would like to have had more male participants complete the survey.

Due to the random sample, there is no evaluation of whether male and female college students differ in respects to the relationship between jealousy and relationship satisfaction and therefore the authors would like to have been able to differentiate and compare an equal number of male and female responses to the survey. Furthermore, we would have liked to determine if participants who completed the survey had encountered jealousy in their relationship and how they perceived their relationship satisfaction to be affected.

Implications

Jealousy is a human trait and it is naturally evident in romantic relationships. Because it is present in romantic relationships and provides a correlation to relational satisfaction, it may yield a primary concern for most breakups, divorces, and/or relationship satisfaction. Several questions to address in the future would be: Is jealousy age-related? Do couples trust each other the older they get and the longer they are united? Does the variable of being in college and dealing with college stressors have anything to do with jealousy and overall relational satisfaction?

Much research has shown correlations between jealousy and relational satisfaction within marital relationships as well as within relationships between siblings. There is a gap of knowledge concerning college students as a population. In a study by Guerrero and Eloy (1992), jealousy was associated with relational dissatisfaction as it examined marital types as variables and found that independents experienced jealousy more than traditionals for a number of reasons. Jealousy and Relationship Satisfaction 14

Other studies, like Bevan and Hale (2006), have examined the relationship type (sibling, romantic partners, cross-sex friends) and the type of jealousy expression (avoidance, emotional, rumination, etc.). A study has yet to find the relationship between jealousy and relationship satisfaction with the variable of being a college student.

Understanding the relationship between jealousy and relational satisfaction in college-specific romantic relationships can serve as a tool for researchers in the field of relationship maintenance, the study of college relationships, the study of jealousy, failure in romantic relationships, success in romantic relationships, and more. Understanding whether being in college affects relationship satisfaction can help researchers narrow the focus of what makes romantic relationships work and what prevents them from working. This study can also contribute to the communication research regarding the impact of infidelity in young individuals.

Do internal trust and jealousy issues as an older adult stem from previous college romantic relationships? College is a time in individuals’ lives where they are learning things on their own.

It is a time in their lives when they are branching away from their parents and taking responsibilities into their own hands. College is often a time for “first loves”, potentially experimenting with alcohol and drugs, and paving the path for their future careers.

The practical implications of this study could benefit college students who have been in romantic relationships in college, who are currently in romantic relationships in college, or who may eventually be involved in romantic relationships in college. For individuals who tend to be highly jealous, this could serve as a possible explanation as to why they are unsatisfied in their relationship. This study also serves as a reminder for individuals to manage their jealousy levels; after all, jealousy has a negative correlation to relational satisfaction and could potentially destroy their relationship. The research findings in our study aligned with current research on Jealousy and Relationship Satisfaction 15 relationship satisfaction and jealousy and opened the doors for attention to college romantic relationships.

Future Research Directions

Previous research shows that jealousy and relational satisfaction are negatively related.

Research in this specific study coincides with previous research because it found that an increase of jealousy in romantic relationships in college is associated with less relational satisfaction.

More research needs to be done to discover why this phenomenon occurs. A potential dimension to this study would be to research the romantic history of an individual while in college (never been cheated on, was the individual who cheated, etc.) and/or level of personal paranoia in romantic relationships. As previously stated, college is a time in one’s life for learning how to be responsible on your own, experimenting with alcohol/drugs, as well as learning how to manage time, finances, stress, schoolwork, work, and even emotions. Researching this topic could help understand why some college students have higher jealousy levels than others. Are trust issues cultured from within, stem from previous experiences involving infidelity, or from witnessing others cheat? Because can be jealousy a negative aspect of romantic relationships and affects one’s relational satisfaction with his or her partner in college romantic relationships, a future study involving college students’ past experiences could explain why certain people are more jealous than others and how it could foreshadow negative relational satisfaction with a potential partner. Jealousy and Relationship Satisfaction 16

References

Andersen, P. A., Eloy, S. V., Guerrero, L. K., & Spitzberg, B. H. (1995). Romantic

jealousy and relational satisfaction: A look at the impact of jealousy experience and

expression. Communication Reports, 8, 77–85.

Baxter, L. A. (1988). Dyadic personal relationships: Measurement options. In C.H. Tardy (Ed.),

A handbook for the study of human communication. (193-228). Norwood, NJ:

Ablex.

Bevan, J. L. (2004). General partner and relational uncertainty as consequences of another

person’s jealousy expression. Western Journal of Communication, 68(2), 195-218.

Bevan, J. L., & Hale, J. L. (2006). Negative Jealousy-Related Emotion Rumination as

Consequences of Romantic Partner, Cross-Sex Friend, and Sibling Jealousy

Expression. Communication Studies, 57(4), 363-379. doi:10.1080/10510970600945907.

Bevan, J. L. (2008) Experiencing and communicating romantic jealousy: questioning the

investment model. Southern Communication Journal. 73(1). 42-67.

Dainton, M. & Gross, J. (2008). The use of negative behaviors to maintain relationships.

Communication Research Report (25)3, 187-189.

Goodboy, A. K., & Myers, S. A. (2010). Relational Quality Indicators and Love Styles as

Predictors of Negative Relational Maintenance Behaviors in Romantic Relationships.

Communication Reports, 23(2), 65-78. doi:10.1080/08934215.2010.511397

Goodboy, A. K., Horan, S. M., & Booth-Butterfield, M. (2012). Intentional Jealousy-Evoking

Behavior in Romantic Relationships as a Function of Received Partner Affection and Jealousy and Relationship Satisfaction 17

Love Styles. Communication Quarterly, 60(3), 370-385.

doi:10.1080/01463373.2012.688792

Guerrero, L. K. (1994). “I’m so mad I could scream.” The effects of anger expression on

relational satisfaction and communication competence. Southern Communication

Journal. 59(2), 125-141.

Guerrero, L. K., & Eloy, S. V. (1992). Relational Satisfaction and Jealousy Across Marital

Types. Communication Reports, 5(1), 23-31.

Guerrero, L. K., Farinelli, L., & McEwan, B. (2009). Attachment and Relational Satisfaction:

The Mediating Effect of Emotional Communication. Communication

Monographs, 76(4), 487-514. doi:10.1080/03637750903300254

Guerrero, L. K., Hannawa, A. F, & Babin, E. A. (2011). The communicative responses to

jealousy scale: Revision, empirical validation, and associations with relational

satisfaction, communication methods and measures. Communication Methods and

Measures. 5(3). 223-249.

Hansen, G. L. (1991). Jealousy: Its conceptualization, measurement, and integration with

family stress theory. In P. Salovey (Ed.), The psychology of jealousy and envy (pp.

211-230). New York: Guilford.

Hendrick, S. S. (1988). A generic measure of relationship satisfaction. Journal of Marriage

and the Family. 50. 93-98.

Hupka, R. B, Buunk, B., Falus, G., Fulgosi, A., Ortega, E., Swain, R. & Tarabrina, N. V. (1985).

Romantic jealousy and romantic envy: a seven-nation study. Journal of Cross-

Cultural Psychology 16(4), 437.

Kennedy-Lightsey, Carrie; Booth-Butterfield, Melanie. (2011). Responses to jealousy Jealousy and Relationship Satisfaction 18

situations that evoke uncertainty in married and dating relationships. Communication

Quarterly. 59(2), 255-275.

Knobloch, L.K., & Solomon, D.H. (2002). Intimacy and the magnitude and experience of

episodic relational uncertainty within romantic relationships. Personal Relationships, 9,

457-478.

Knox, D., Zusman, M. E., Mabon, L. & Shriver, L. (1999). Jealousy in college student

relationships. College Student Journal. 33(3). 328-329. Retrieved from SPORTDiscus.

Lee, J. A. (1973). Colours of love: An exploration of the ways of loving. Toronto: New

Press.

Light, R. J. (2001). Making the most of college: Students speak their mind. United States:

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data. Retrieved from Google Scholar.

Parrott, W. G. and Smith, R. H. (1993). Distinguishing the experiences of envy and jealousy.

Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, (64)6, 911.

Regan, P. C. (2008). The mating game: A primer on love, sex, and marriage. California: Sage

Publications.

Sidelinger, R.J., & Booth-Butterfield, M. (2007). Mate value discrepancy as predictor of

forgiveness and jealousy in romantic relationships. Communication Quarterly, 55, 207-

Sidelinger, R.J., & Booth-Butterfield, M. (2007). Mate value discrepancy as predictor of

forgiveness and jealousy in romantic relationships. Communication Quarterly, 55,

207-223.

White, G. L. (1981). Some correlates of romantic jealousy. Journal of Personality, 49,

129-147. Jealousy and Relationship Satisfaction 19