Examining the role of irrational beliefs, jealousy and emotional manipulation in predicting the level of depression in romantic relationships

The main purpose of this study is to examine the roles of irrational beliefs, jealousy, and emotional manipulation in predicting depression levels among individuals in romantic relationships, and to identify the effects of various demographic variables on irrational beliefs, jealousy, emotional manipulation, and depression. A total of 406 participants, including 226 women and 180 men, in romantic relationships from various regions of Turkey, took part in the study. To identify irrational beliefs, the "Irrational Beliefs in Romantic Relationships Scale" was used; the "Romantic Jealousy Scale," specifically the subdimension "Jealousy Triggers," was used to determine jealousy levels; the "Emotional Manipulation Scale" was used to assess emotional manipulation; and the "Beck Depression Inventory" was used to measure depression levels. Demographic variables were obtained using the "Demographic Information Form." To determine the significant differences between groups regarding irrational beliefs, jealousy, emotional manipulation, and depression, Welch's independent samples t-tests and Welch's one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) were conducted. To examine the relationships between irrational beliefs, jealousy, emotional manipulation, and depression, Pearson correlation coefficient analysis was applied. Additionally, a multiple linear regression analysis was performed to determine the extent to which irrational beliefs, jealousy, and emotional manipulation predict depression levels. The findings of the study revealed that irrational beliefs were positively significantly related to jealousy, while irrational beliefs were positively significantly related to depression, except for the subdimensions of mind reading and excessive expectations. No significant relationship was found between irrational beliefs and emotional manipulation, except for the subdimensions of mind reading and excessive expectations. A significant positive relationship was observed between jealousy and emotional manipulation, while no significant relationship was found between jealousy and depression. Finally, no significant relationship was found between emotional manipulation and depression. Among the irrational beliefs, physical proximity and social time usage positively predicted depression, while excessive expectations negatively predicted depression. No significant prediction of depression was found for the irrational beliefs subdimensions of "different thinking," "mind reading," and gender differences. Jealousy was found to positively predict depression, while emotional manipulation did not significantly predict depression. The results of the study were discussed in light of the existing literature, and recommendations were made based on the findings. Keywords: Romantic Relationships, Irrational Beliefs, Jealousy, Emotional Manipulation, Depression