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Journal of Social and Personal Relationships, Vol. 25, No. 1, 71-86 (2008)
DOI: 10.1177/0265407507086806

Relationship social comparison tendencies, insecurity, and perceived relationship quality

Lavonia Smith LeBeau

The Pennsylvania State University, lebeau{at}wjh.harvard.edu

Justin T. Buckingham

Towson University

Three studies examine associations between relationship social comparison (RSC) tendencies, insecurity, and perceived relationship quality. Study 1 (68 females, 9 males) showed that RSC was associated with self-esteem, anxious and avoidant attachment styles, and relationship insecurity. RSC associations with anxious attachment and insecurity, but not avoidant attachment, held when controlling for self-esteem. Study 2 (322 females, 95 males) showed that RSC was associated with intimacy, satisfaction, investment, commitment, and relationship alternatives. RSC associations held when controlling for general comparison tendencies for all except investment. Study 3 (61 females, 11 males) showed that RSC was associated with changes in relationship insecurity and satisfaction over time, and that insecurity mediated the relationship between RSC and satisfaction.

Key Words: comparison tendencies • evaluation • insecurity • relationship • social comparison


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