The online ideal persona vs. the jealousy effect: Two explanations of why selfies are associated with lower-quality romantic relationships

• A model was developed to explain the negative effects of selfies on relationships.
• Analysis confirms a partial mediation model through two processes.
• Jealousy, stemming from excessive individual photos sharing.
• The emerging of an online ideal persona in the picture-taker’s mind.
• These conflicts in turn, reduce perceived quality of the romantic relationships.

Drawing on social-psychology and communication theories, we advance a theoretical model to explain the negative effects of selfies on romantic relationships. We suggest that this individualistic use of social media is related to selfie related conflicts between partners through two processes: (1) jealousy, stemming from excessive individual photo-sharing or comments about those pictures, and (2) that, by sharing flattering images of oneself, an online ideal persona is created in the picture-taker’s mind that diverges from real-life. These conflicts in turn reduce perceived quality of the romantic relationships. To test the model we conducted a two-wave, representative panel survey, separated by one year. Results support a partial mediation model between taking selfies and lower perception of relationship quality, suggesting that both mediators, jealousy and the online ideal persona, have a negative effect on romantic relationship over time.