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Exercise Behavior Among College Students and
Sex Differences in a Health-Promotive Intervention
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by Alyssa J. Matteucci - Drexel University
Daniel Albohn - Millersville University
Tara M. Stoppa
Wendy Mercier - Eastern University
Relationship self-efficacy (RSE) is confidence in one’s ability to
support successful relationships. The present study investigated RSE’s
relationship with attachment style (secure, anxious, and avoidant), jealousy,
self-esteem, and gender. College undergraduates (N = 126) completed the
Relationship Self-Efficacy Scale, Adult Attachment Scale, Self-Report
Jealousy Scale, Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale, and a demographic
questionnaire. RSE was significantly correlated with self-esteem (r = .35),
avoidant attachment style (r = -.23), and anxious attachment style (r = -.20).
Stepwise multiple regression analysis revealed that self-esteem and jealousy
were the only significant predictors of RSE (R2 = .16, adjusted R2 = .14).
Although jealousy and RSE did not have a significant bivariate relationship,
a positive relationship emerged after controlling for the other variables. It
is possible that jealous attitudes may spur individuals to be more attentive
toward their relationship partner; increased focus on the relationship may
be associated with increased RSE. The reverse direction of effect, in which
RSE contributes to jealousy and self-esteem, remains an alternative plausible
explanation of this association.
Winter 2012 | Psi Chi Journal of Undergraduate Research (Vol. 17, No. 4, p. 163), published by Psi Chi, The International Honor Society in Psychology (Chattanooga, TN). Copyright, 2012, Psi Chi, The International Honor Society in Psychology. All rights reserved.