The impact of relationship-contingent self-esteem on mate retention and reactions to threat
Abstract
Relationship‐contingent self‐esteem (RCSE) refers to when feelings of self‐worth are derived from romantic relationships. RCSE influences views of the self and the functioning of romantic relationships. The relationship between RCSE and mate retention behaviors was examined across three studies. Study 1 examined whether self‐esteem level and RCSE predicted mate retention behaviors. Studies 2 and 3 examined whether self‐esteem level and RCSE predicted mate retention behaviors following manipulations of threat to the relationship. Individuals with high RCSE were more likely to engage in benefit‐provisioning mate retention behaviors, particularly following certain threats. RCSE was also associated with cost‐inflicting mate retention behaviors, but these associations were inconsistent.
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People who have high RCSE have been found to protect their relationships by engaging in mate retention behaviors.
“People who have high RCSE have been found to protect their relationships by engaging in mate retention behaviors [40].”
From Does Relationship-Contingent Self-Esteem Play a Role in the Stress to Impaired Control Pathway to Alcohol-Related Problems in a College Student Sample? (2023) · cites this paper as [40]
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Kalina, E., Boyd-Frenkel, K., Patock-Peckham, J. A., Schneidewent, L., Broussard, M. L., & Leeman, R. F. (2023) · Behavioral Sciences · doi:10.3390/bs13020185 · Cited by 4 · see citing works
“In fact, “individuals with high levels of RCSE may be so desperate to maintain their relationships that they are willing to incur the risks that accompany the use of cost inflicting mate retention behaviors” [40] (p.”
Background
- Authors
- Holden, C. J., Zeigler‐Hill, V., Shackelford, T. K., & Welling, L. L. M.
- Affiliations
- Appalachian State University (US)
- Oakland University (US)
- Corresponding author
- Holden, Christopher J.
- Venue
- Personal Relationships
- Publisher
- Wiley
- Published
- 2018-12
- Volume
- 25
- Issue
- 4
- Pages
- 611-630
- ISSN
- 1350-4126 (ISSN-L)
- 1475-6811
- OpenAlex
- W2905400664
- Cited by
- 10
- References
- 54
- Citations by year
- 2026: 1 · 2025: 1 · 2024: 1 · 2023: 2 · 2022: 1 · 2021: 2 · 2020: 1 · 2019: 1
- FWCI
- 1.35
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Personal Relationships (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Attachment and Relationship Dynamics
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Experimental and Cognitive Psychology › Evolutionary Psychology and Human Behavior
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Personality Traits and Psychology
- Keywords
- mate retention, self-esteem, romantic relationships
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