Who hasn’t already drowned a heartache in alcohol? Researchers from the University of Houston (United States) have studied the links between the nature of romantic relationships, self-esteem within a couple, jealousy and alcohol problems. Their study, published in the journal Addictive Behaviors, provides a better understanding of the factors in love that can sometimes lead to excess alcohol.
Alcoholism: towards better prevention in certain cases
“Better understanding this link can allow professionals and psychologists to identify the people living in a relationship most at risk of excess.alcohol, but can also help everyone to better understand the romantic springs of their consumption, explains Dr. Angelo DiBello, main author of the study. On a clinical level, to detect and prevent problems with alcohol, it is therefore necessary to take into account the dimensions of self-esteem and relationship or love problems “.
The link between romantic relationship and alcohol already studied
Other research has already suggested that jealousy and lack of self-esteem during a romantic relationship has an impact on alcohol use and can even lead to alcohol dependence. However, these studies have not gone far enough in the relationship between alcohol consumption, jealousy and the quality of the romantic relationship.
In the study from the University of Houston, the authors, on the one hand, examined the literature to try to reconcile the types of jealousy (emotional, cognitive and behavioral), the quality of the relationship (satisfaction, commitment, proximity ), self-esteem in the couple and alcohol consumption. On the other hand, the researchers carried out a study on 2,177 participants.
Alcohol: jealousy and self-esteem associated with excess
The results show that jealousy combined with low self-esteem in the romantic relationship is associated with excess and problems with alcohol. When a person relies on the quality of their relationship to maintain confidence and esteem, alcohol consumption is magnified. In cases of jealousy, these people consume in excess to cope. Conversely, when the relationship is satisfactory, consumption is less.
“This research helps to show how our emotions, thoughts and behaviors are closely combined with sometimes a harmful effect,” says Dr. Angelo DiBello.
Read also :
– Sick of jealousy: tips to get out of it
– Jealousy is good for the health of the couple
