Responses to Jealousy Situations That Evoke Uncertainty in Married and Dating Relationships

Abstract

This study examined jealousy situations among married versus dating relationships, the uncertainty jealousy induced, and communicative responses. Participants (N = 155) described situations, and analytic inductive procedures identified 9 jealousy situations. Comparisons indicate the Presence of Attractive Romantic Alternative and Choice of a Non-Romantic Other situations are most common among dating partners, whereas Choice of a Non-Romantic Other and Never Experienced Jealousy are most common among married couples. Dating partners experienced greater partner uncertainty following jealous situations. Situations differed in production of partner and relational uncertainty, satisfaction, and impact on other aspects of life.

Keywords:

• Communication Responses
• Episodic Uncertainty
• Jealousy Situations

Notes

^a The scale was omitted because of low reliability.

*p < .05. **p < .01.

Note. p < .05.

^a Significantly different from the Never Experience Jealousy category.

^b Significantly different from the Infidelity category.

^c Significantly different from each other.

^{a, b} Significant differences with both Never Experience Jealousy and Infidelity categories.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Carrie Kennedy-Lightsey

Carrie Kennedy-Lightsey (Ph.D., West Virginia University, 2009) is an assistant professor in the Department of Communication at Indiana University–Purdue University, Fort Wayne.

Melanie Booth-Butterfield

Melanie Booth-Butterfield (Ph.D., University of Missouri, 1985) is a professor in the Department of Communication Studies at West Virginia University.