Jealousy Test
Take our free jealousy test. Assess the intensity and impact of jealousy in your relationships. 10 questions. Instant results. No sign-up needed.
Understanding jealousy
Jealousy is a complex emotion triggered by a perceived threat to a valued relationship — the fear that someone important to you might be lost to a rival. It differs from envy (which involves wanting what someone else has) by its relational nature: jealousy involves three parties — you, the person you're jealous about, and the perceived rival or threat.
Jealousy is a universal human emotion with an evolutionary basis — it signals a potential threat to an important bond and motivates protective behaviour. In moderate doses, it can reflect how much you value a relationship. The problem arises when jealousy becomes intense, chronic, or controlling — leading to surveillance, restriction, accusations, or aggression that damage both the person experiencing jealousy and their partner.
Attachment insecurity is a key driver of relationship jealousy. People with anxious attachment are particularly prone to jealousy because they're highly vigilant to abandonment cues and interpret ambiguous signals as threats. People with avoidant attachment may experience jealousy but suppress it or express it through withdrawal rather than pursuit.
When jealousy becomes a problem
Problematic jealousy — sometimes called morbid or pathological jealousy — involves an intensity and intrusiveness that significantly disrupts daily functioning, the relationship, or the partner's freedom. Signs include: constant checking of a partner's phone or social media, needing to know their whereabouts at all times, accusations of infidelity without evidence, restricting who a partner can see, and distress that feels unmanageable when a partner interacts with others.
Relationship-specific jealousy should be distinguished from jealousy that stems from broader mental health conditions. Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) can produce obsessive jealousy (intrusive, unwanted thoughts about a partner's fidelity accompanied by mental or behavioural rituals). Delusional jealousy (Othello syndrome) is a psychotic symptom requiring urgent psychiatric attention. If jealousy involves unshakeable beliefs about infidelity without evidence, professional assessment is important.
Research consistently shows that jealousy-related controlling behaviours are a risk factor for intimate partner violence. This isn't because jealousy causes violence — it's that extreme jealousy and coercive control co-occur as part of a broader pattern of possessive dominance.
About this test
This test assesses the frequency and intensity of jealous feelings and thoughts, as well as the behaviours that accompany them. It draws on the Multidimensional Jealousy Scale and the Romantic Jealousy Questionnaire to give you a profile across cognitive (thoughts), emotional (feelings), and behavioural (actions) dimensions.
A higher score doesn't make you a bad person or partner — but it is a signal to examine what's driving your jealousy and whether your behavioural responses to it are creating problems. Jealousy itself is normal; extreme or controlling responses to it are worth addressing.
If your jealousy is causing significant distress or impacting your relationships, therapy — particularly CBT for jealousy and, if applicable, schema therapy or attachment-focused work — is effective. A GP referral to a psychologist through a Mental Health Treatment Plan is the practical first step in Australia.
How to Interpret Your Results
| Score Range | Category | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| 0–7 | Low Jealousy | Your responses suggest low levels of jealousy. You appear to have healthy trust in your relationships and manage any jealous feelings well. |
| 8–14 | Mild Jealousy | You experience mild jealousy that may occasionally cause some friction but is generally manageable. |
| 15–22 | Moderate Jealousy | You experience moderate jealousy that is creating some noticeable impact on your relationships and behaviour. |
| 23–30 | High Jealousy | Your responses indicate high levels of jealousy that may be significantly impacting your relationships and emotional wellbeing. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is jealousy a sign of love?
Cultural narratives often link jealousy with love ('if you're not jealous, you don't care'). Research doesn't support this. Jealousy correlates more with attachment insecurity and fear of loss than with love per se. Strong relationships are typically characterised by security, not jealousy.
What causes relationship jealousy?
Multiple factors contribute: attachment insecurity (especially anxious attachment), low self-esteem, past experiences of betrayal or abandonment, relationship uncertainty, and in some cases OCD or other mental health conditions. Understanding the driver is important for addressing it effectively.
Can jealousy be reduced?
Yes. CBT targeting jealous thoughts and behaviours is effective, as is attachment-focused therapy that addresses the underlying insecurity. Building self-esteem, reducing dependence on the relationship for all emotional needs, and improving direct communication with your partner all help.
What's the difference between healthy and unhealthy jealousy?
Healthy jealousy is proportionate — triggered by genuine evidence, communicated openly, and resolved without controlling behaviour. Unhealthy jealousy is disproportionate to actual threat, involves monitoring or restricting a partner, is accompanied by intense distress, and persists despite reassurance.
What if I'm on the receiving end of extreme jealousy?
If a partner's jealousy involves monitoring, accusation, restriction, or intimidation, this is a form of coercive control. You don't need to manage your behaviour to reduce your partner's jealousy — that's a path that escalates rather than resolves the problem. Seeking individual support from a counsellor or 1800RESPECT (1800 737 732) is advisable.