“Gender Differences in Implicit- Self-Esteem Following Romantic Partner’s Success or Failure” is a study co-authored by Kate A. Ratliff, Psychology Professor, University of Florida and Shigehiro Oishi, Psychology Professor, University of Virginia says that their partner’s success disproportionately affects men’s self-esteem.

The study was carried out by Ratliff and Oishi to find out how one partner’s success or failure affects the view about their relationships in a heterosexual relationship. It is found that the success of their female partner makes men feels more subconsciously negative about themselves. Whereas, women shows no subconscious effects to their partner’s success and are more optimistic about the future of their relationship.

The study was carried out in five different test groups from different age groups ranging from college to older adult. The implicit and explicit self-esteem measurements dropped in men identifying their female partner’s success stories, whereas, the women tend to celebrate the success of their men partner.