Correlates of Romantic Jealousy Among Nigerian Adults in Romantic Relationships

Ololade O. Ayoade, Bede C. Akpunne, Ebenezer Akinnawo, Aderonke Akintola

Abstract

This study examined associations between socio-demographic factors, cultural orientation, personality traits and romantic jealousy (RJ) among Nigerian adults in romantic relationships. This study adopted a cross-sectional survey design. A sample size of 414 respondents were selected through a multi-stage sampling technique. Redeemer’s Romantic Jealousy Scale, Big Five Personality Inventory (BFI), and Communal Orientation Scale were used for data collection. Participants reported 16.7%, 18.4% and 16.2% prevalence of cognitive, emotional and behavioural romantic jealousy respectively. Age, religious affiliation, marital status, employment status, and tribe do not have any significant relationship with the behavioural dimension of romantic jealousy. Gender had significant positive relationship with the behavioural dimension of romantic jealousy. Similarly, educational qualification had a significant relationship with the behavioural dimension of RJ. Cultural orientation was significantly positively related to the cognitive, emotional and behavioural dimensions of RJ. Extraversion had significant positive relationships with the cognitive and emotional dimensions. Agreeableness had significant positive associations with the three dimensions of RJ. Conscientiousness had significant positive relationships with the cognitive and emotional dimensions, but no significant relationship with the behavioural dimension of RJ. Neuroticism had a significant association with the emotional dimension of RJ but no significant relationship with the cognitive and behavioural dimensions. Finally, openness had significant positive associations with cognitive and emotional dimensions; with no significant correlation with behavioural dimension of RJ. Authors conclude that there is a high prevalence of RJ and that cultural orientation and personality traits are strongly linked to RJ among the participants.

Keywords

Socio-demographic factors, cultural orientation, personality trait, romantic jealousy Nigerian adults, romantic relationships.

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References

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