Attachment, relationship communication style and the use of jealousy induction techniques in romantic relationships

Abstract

Insecurely attached individuals are more likely to try to induce jealousy in their partners than securely attached individuals. Research more consistently links anxious attachment styles with jealousy induction, compared to avoidant attachment. The current study extends this limited research by examining how four attachment styles are indirectly related to jealousy induction through relationship communication styles. College men and women (N = 263) completed an online survey on their dating experiences, and indicated their likelihood of using jealousy induction tactics and relationship communication styles with a hypothetical partner. Path analysis revealed that fearfully attached individuals are more likely to indicate an aggressive communication style and this is linked to greater jealousy induction; whereas, preoccupied individuals are more likely to use a nonassertive communication style and this is linked to greater jealousy induction. Secure and dismissing styles were unrelated to jealousy induction. Findings support the anxious attachment-jealousy induction link. Future research should examine whether motives behind jealousy induction diverge as function of attachment style.