Self-Esteem and the Quality of Romantic Relationships
Open accessAbstract
The relation between self-esteem and romantic relationships has been the focus of many research studies. In this article, we review theoretical perspectives and available evidence on (a) the effect of people’s self-esteem on the quality of their romantic relationships, (b) the effect of self-esteem similarity between partners on relationship quality, and (c) the psychological mechanisms that might account for the link between self-esteem and relationship quality. Overall, the evidence suggests that high self-esteem is beneficial in romantic relationships. Furthermore, research using data from both partners of couples suggests that high self-esteem has a positive effect also on the partner’s happiness with the relationship. However, research indicates that the degree of self-esteem similarity between partners does not influence the couple’s relationship satisfaction. Although evidence suggests that perceived regard and secure attachment between the partners explains why self-esteem is beneficial in romantic relationships, future research is needed to examine in more detail the mechanisms through which self-esteem contributes to a happy relationship.
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There is a significant negative correlation between self-esteem of single-parent family students and interpersonal stress.
“The research has indicated a significant negative correlation between self-esteem of single-parent family students and interpersonal stress [3].”
From Research on Attachment Relationship, Self-Esteem and Psychological Maturity in Love among Chinese College Students from Single-Parent Families (2024) · cites this paper as [3]
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A Correlation Study between Self-esteem and Romantic Jealousy among University Students
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(2024) · Applied & Educational Psychology · doi:10.23977/appep.2024.050308
“The research has indicated a significant negative correlation between self-esteem of single-parent family students and interpersonal stress [3].”
Background
- Authors
- Yasemin Erol, R., & Orth, U.
- Affiliations
- Department of Psychology, University of Bern, Switzerland
- University of Bern (CH)
- ORCID
- Orth, Ulrich
- Venue
- European Psychologist
- Publisher
- Hogrefe Publishing Group
- Published
- 2016-10
- Volume
- 21
- Issue
- 4
- Pages
- 274-283
- ISSN
- 1016-9040 (ISSN-L)
- 1878-531X
- OpenAlex
- W2572128865
- Cited by
- 149
- References
- 14
- Citations by year
- 2026: 7 · 2025: 13 · 2024: 11 · 2023: 37 · 2022: 9 · 2021: 14 · 2020: 13 · 2019: 32 · 2018: 8 · 2017: 3 · 2016: 2
- FWCI
- 23.63
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- green
- doi.org
- Locations
- European Psychologist (publishedVersion)
- Bern Open Repository and Information System (University of Bern) (submittedVersion)
- Open Access CRIS of the University of Bern
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Attachment and Relationship Dynamics
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Personality Traits and Psychology
- Social Sciences › Sociology and Political Science › Marriage and Sexual Relationships
- Keywords
- self-esteem, romantic relationships, relationship quality, relationship satisfaction, secure attachment
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