Emotional dependence, romantic jealousy and cyber violence in young couples: surveillance and control

Abstract

Background: Emotional dependence is based on a maladaptive and idealized vision of the couple’s relationship and romantic myths and linked to the use of control and surveillance mechanisms. Inappropriate behaviors that are aggravated by jealousy minimization are tolerated, relationed also with control comportments that are reflexeted in virtual spaces, specially between youths. Objective: To analyze the relationship between emotional dependence, jealousy and cyber violence in young couples. Method: 263 young people between the ages of 18 and 30 (M = 22.86, SD = 2.71) participated, of which 57.4 % are women and with a predominance of university studies (68.8 %) and heterosexual orientation (85.9 %). Results: The results determined the existence of a relation between emotional dependence, jealousy and cyberviolence. A higher representation was found in men, participants between 24 and 30 years old, not university students, heterosexuals, with two or more sporadic relationships and one or non stable relationship. Conclusions: Emotional dependence is a relevant factor in the manifestations of jealousy and cyber violence in young couples.