Romantic Jealousy From the Perspectives of Bowen’s Concept of Differentiation and Gender Differences

Abstract

This study explores whether differentiation of the self, a concept suggested by Bowen, can explain and predict the tendency for romantic jealousy. It also looks into gender differences in the expressions and reactions to romantic jealousy. Data were gathered from married couples (242 participants), utilizing self-report questionnaires that measure emotional, cognitive, and behavioral expressions of jealousy, evaluate the respondent’s level of differentiation, and collect background data. The findings show that participants with lower levels of differentiation reported higher levels of jealousy. Women reported higher levels of emotional arousal, had a stronger cognitive tendency to interpret a variety of situations as arousing jealousy, and were inclined to invest more in attempting to preserve the couple relationship. Implications of these findings for future research and practice of clinical couple therapy are discussed.