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.

Relationship-Contingent Self-Esteem as a Moderator of Borderline Personality Features and Mate Retention

“…In contrast, individuals with high levels of RCSE should be more inclined to use a wider array of mate retention behaviors because they should be highly motivated to retain their current partner, as it ensures that their self-esteem will not be damaged or significantly drop. Indeed, RCSE is positively associated with both benefit-provisioning and cost-inflicting behaviors, supporting the notion that RCSE is associated with high levels of motivation to maintain relationships (Holden et al, 2018).…”

“…For example, in individuals with RCSE, their feelings of self-esteem will be high when they perceive their relationship to be going well, but the opposite is true in cases where they see their relationship or their partner in a negative light. Typically, individuals with RCSE hold relatively negative evaluations of their relationships, and this is why we tend to see a negative correlation between RCSE and selfesteem (Holden et al, 2018). Furthermore, contingent self-esteem and global self-esteem may interact to predict certain outcomes.…”

“…In conclusion, evidence suggests that individuals with higher levels of BPF may be more inclined to use cost-inflicting mate retention behaviors (Atari et al, 2017;Calvo et al, 2016;Clarkin et al, 1993;de Miguel & Buss, 2011;Holden et al, 2015;McKibbin et al, 2014;Tragesser & Benfield, 2012). Furthermore, it is important to understand the influence of impulsivity due to perceived relationship threat on the relationship between BPD, RCSE, and the use of mate retention behaviors because it may predict, in addition to BPF and RCSE, the use of cost-inflicting mate retention behaviors (Holden et al, 2018;Tragesser & Benfield, 2012).…”

“…Thus, the current study measured the relationship between borderline personality features, relationship-contingent selfesteem, and mate retention behaviors. Because BPF and RCSE exhibit similar characteristics, and they both are positively associated with the use of cost-inflicting behaviors (Tragesser & Benfield, 2012;Holden et al, 2018), it was predicted that RCSE would significantly moderate the relationship between BPF and cost-inflicting MRB. By examining RCSE as a moderator, we were able to potentially explain why individuals with high levels of BPF are motivated to engage in cost-inflicting mate retention behaviors.…”

“…The MRI-SF was not designed as a pre-port measure. Thus, a pre-post measure was a relatively novel approach, but a previous study has used it in this manner (Holden et al, 2018). Each pre-post measure of MRB was more reliable in the current study (pre-cost-inflicting MRB: α = .93; pre-benefitprovisioning MRB: α = .91; post-cost-inflicting MRB: α = .94; post-benefit-provisioning MRB: α = .93) than in previous research (cost-inflicting MRB: α = .74; benefit-provisioning MRB: α = .74; Miner et al, 2009).…”