This study confirmed a hypothesis from the
Emotion-in-Relationships conceptual model,
which predicts that greater interdependence
between relationship partnersor closeness
creates the potential for jealousy. The study
also sought to better define the positive side
of romantic jealousy in addition to its more
negative attributes. College students in
premarital relationships ( N = 229) completed
a questionnaire, including 27 different
measures and the Multidimensional Jealousy
Scale. Select data were obtained from 122
cases at 3-month follow-up. Each jealousy
scale was tested for associations with
demographic (age, sex, and race), person
(life satisfaction, loneliness, romantic
attachment styles, love styles, and romantic
beliefs), and relationship (affective,
closeness, and social exchange theory)
constructs. Results clearly distinguished
emotional/reactive jealousy as mostly good
and cognitive/suspicious jealousy as bad.
Behavioral jealousy was associated with few
measures. Implications are discussed for the
interdependence model of relationships and
the transactional model of jealousy.