Links Between Rejection Sensitivity and Adolescent Romantic Relationship Functioning: The Mediating Role of Problem-Solving Behaviors

• NCJ Number: 232156
• Journal: Journal of Aggression, Maltreatment and Trauma Volume: 19 Issue: 6 Dated: September 2010 Pages: 603-623
• Author(s): Renee V. Galliber; Charles G. Bentley
• Date Published: September 2010
• Length: 21 pages
• Grant Number(s): 1 R03 MH064689-01A1
• Sponsoring Agency: National Institute of Mental Health
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Research (Applied/Empirical)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This study hypothesized that highly rejection-sensitive adolescents would perceive their interactions with their romantic partners more distant and conflicting, which would mediate the link between rejection sensitivity and maladaptive relationship outcomes.

Abstract

This study examined links between rejection sensitivity and both relationship satisfaction and perpetration of aggression in 92 adolescent romantic couples. Using a video recall procedure, couple members' ratings of their own and their partners' behaviors during a problem-solving task were hypothesized to mediate links between rejection sensitivity and maladaptive relationship outcomes. Rejection sensitivity scores were related to higher levels of aggression and lower relationship satisfaction, and associations were mediated by couple members' ratings of conflict, sarcasm, and giving in during the interaction. Findings are consistent with the rejection sensitivity model, positing that rejection-sensitive individuals interpret their interactions more negatively, and those negative interpretations lead them to behave in ways that compromise the quality of their close relationships. Figure, tables, and references (Published Abstract)