Communicative responses to jealousy as a function of self–esteem and relationship maintenance goals: A test of Bryson’s dual motivation model

This study tests Bryson's dual motivation model of jealousy, which predicts that jealousy responses vary based on self–esteem and relationship maintenance goals. A questionnaire study found limited support for the model. Individuals who were motivated to maintain self–esteem reported more integrative communication, manipulation, and avoidance/denial. Those motivated to maintain their relationships reported more integrative communication, compensatory restoration, and negative affect expression. Individuals motivated by only relational maintenance reported the most surveillance. A moderate to moderately high motivation to maintain the relationship was associated with the most distributive communication and active distancing. These findings indicate that self–esteem and relationship maintenance goals are related to communicative responses to jealousy, but in more complex ways than Bryson's model suggests.