Does Self-Esteem Account for Romantic Jealousy in Adolescence?: Focusing at Narcissism

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between romantic jealousy and self-esteem by considering narcissism to resolve the contradiction in previous findings. One-hundred and sixty college students who had experienced romantic relationships completed the questionnaire. Correlation analysis indicated no significant correlation between self-esteem and romantic jealousy. Hierarchical multiple regression analysis indicated the negative effect of “self-esteem” and the positive effect of “sense of superiority” for the emotional dimension of jealousy; thus, the ambiguity of self-esteem, which is difficult to distinguish from oblivious narcissism, may account for the contradiction in previous findings. Finally, “need for attention” and “narcissistic depression” were the strongest predictors of the emotional dimension of jealousy. Therefore, it may be further strengthened by the hypersensitivity and vulnerability of self-evaluation in young adults.