Romantic Jealousy and Relationship Satisfaction: The Costs of Rumination

Abstract

The experience of romantic jealousy and its influence on relationship outcomes is unclear. Romantic jealousy is often associated with damaging effects; on the other hand, jealousy is linked to positive relationship outcomes such as increased commitment. In this study, we aimed to address inconsistencies in previous research by proposing rumination as a mediator between romantic jealousy (cognitive jealousy and surveillance behaviors) and relationship dissatisfaction. We also aimed to extend our understanding of behavioral responses to jealousy, and in particular, partner surveillance and its link to relational dissatisfaction by proposing a research question. Overall, there were two paths to relationship dissatisfaction: Cognitive jealousy and surveillance behaviors were associated with relationship dissatisfaction via rumination, and cognitive jealousy was also directly associated with relationship dissatisfaction. Interestingly, surveillance behaviors were directly associated with relationship satisfaction. From these results, rumination is highlighted as a factor in explaining the link between romantic jealousy and relationship dissatisfaction. Clinical implications are discussed.

Keywords:

• Jealousy
• Romantic Relationships
• Rumination

Acknowledgments

The authors would like to acknowledge the preparation of this article was supported in part by a National Health and Medical Research Council of Australia Career Development Fellowship held by Jason Connor.

Notes

Note. In the partial disaggregation approach, the following items were collapsed to form single indices. Rumination (1): Items 1, 3, 5, 10; Rumination (2): 2, 4, 7, 9. Cognitive jealousy (1): 1, 4, 8; Cognitive jealousy (2): 3, 7. Surveillance behaviors: Items 1, 5, 7; Surveillance behaviors (2): 2, 3, 6. Satisfaction (1): Items 6, 8, 10. Satisfaction (2): Items 7, 9.

**p < .01. ***p < .001.

*p < .05. **p < .01.

Although gender differences were not of primary interest to the present research, the overall model was also run with males and females separately, to test its robustness. In each case, the same pattern of results emerged, although for males (N = 79), two paths were trending towards significance: cognitive jealousy and rumination, and rumination and dissatisfaction. This result is likely because of the relatively low power in this analysis.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Rachel A. Elphinston

Rachel A. Elphinston (PhD, The University of Queensland, Australia) is a practicing Clinical Psychologist in Brisbane, Australia.

Judith A. Feeney

Judith A. Feeney (PhD, The University of Queensland) is an Associate Professor in the School of Psychology, The University of Queensland.

Patricia Noller

Patricia Noller (PhD, The University of Queensland) is an Emeritus Professor in the School of Psychology, The University of Queensland.

Jason P. Connor

Jason P. Connor (PhD, The University of Queensland) is the Director of the Centre for Youth Substance Abuse Research, The University of Queensland, and an Associate Professor in the School of Medicine, Discipline of Psychiatry, The University of Queensland.

Jennifer Fitzgerald

Jennifer Fitzgerald (PhD, The University of Queensland) is a Clinical Psychologist and Clinical Lead Educator in the School of Medicine, Discipline of Psychiatry, The University of Queensland.