Differences in reactions to ambiguous events in intimate relationships relative to different levels and paradoxicality of self-esteem

Payne, Ileana. (2014). Differences in reactions to ambiguous events in intimate relationships relative to different levels and paradoxicality of self-esteem. Diploma Thesis. Filozofski fakultet u Zagrebu, Department of Psychology. [mentor Jelić, Margareta].

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Abstract

The aim of this study was to determine differences in inclinations towards constructive or destructive reactions to ambiguous events in the context of intimate relationships, relative to different levels and paradoxicality of self-liking and self-competence. The study was conducted on a nonprobability sample of 531 participants, who completed the Revised Self-Liking Self-Competence Scale (Tafarodi and Swann, 2001), the Quality of Marriage Index, in addition to an Inventory of ambiguous events in the context of intimate relationships. Participants high in self-liking, compared to those low in self-liking, showed a greater tendency towards constructive reactions, as well as higher estimates of intimate relationship quality. The self-competence level qualified only the differences in estimations of intimate relationship quality in male participants. No differences in reactions were established regarding the level and paradoxicality of self-esteem, and the differences in estimates of intimate relationship quality were restricted to some categories. Participants who exhibited a greater proclivity towards constructive reactions, compared to those who were inclined towards destructive reactions, deemed their relationships better in quality. The results were interpreted in view of classification criteria for different categories of paradoxical self-esteem, and in consideration of implications for future research of reactions to ambiguous events within intimate relationships.

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