Negative Jealousy-Related Emotion Rumination as Consequences of Romantic Partner, Cross-Sex Friend, and Sibling Jealousy Expression

Abstract

Negative jealousy-related emotion and rumination are examined as consequences of a close relational partner's jealousy expression. Specifically, relationship type (i.e., sibling relationships, cross-sex friendships, and dating partners) and three of Guerrero et al.'s (1995) forms of jealousy expression (i.e., distributive communication, integrative communication, and negative affect expression) are compared according to negative jealousy-related emotion and rumination following a hypothetical partner jealousy expression situation. Siblings and dating partners reported experiencing more intense negative emotion than cross-sex friends after partner jealousy expression. Further, participants reported ruminating more after their partners used distributive communication compared with integrative communication or negative affect expression to express jealousy. Emotional intensity did not vary according to type of jealousy expression and rumination did not vary with regard to relationship type. Practical and theoretical implications for the study of negative emotion, rumination, and partner jealousy expression are discussed.