Experimental Analysis of Behavior Commons^™

The Effects Of Self-Threats And Affirmations On Romantic Relationship Functioning: The Moderating Roles Of Self-Esteem And Relationship-Contingent Self-Esteem, Jennifer Lynn Zangl

Graduate College Dissertations and Theses

Although romantic relationships are an important source of self-esteem, individuals vary in the degree to which romantic relationships determine their self-esteem. For individuals with relationship-contingent self-esteem (RCSE), self-esteem is based on the quality of perceived romantic relationship functioning. In contrast, global self-esteem is derived from a variety of domains, not specifically relationship quality. The present study investigated the moderating effects of RCSE and global self-esteem on the effects of relationship specific or relationship-unrelated threats and self-affirmations. Individuals with low global self-esteem react to threats by distancing themselves from their romantic partners. For those low in RCSE, this should occur only …