Adolescent Romantic Relationships The Impact of Rejection Sensitivity

Adolescent Romantic Relationships: The Impact of Rejection Sensitivity and the Moderating Role of Attachment Security By: Emily Marston, Amanda Hare, Erin Miga, Meredyth Evans and Joseph P. Allen We would like to thank the National Institute of Mental Health for funding awarded to Joseph P Allen, Principal Investigator, (Grants #R 01 -MH 58066) for the conduct and write-up of this study.

Abstract Research indicates that rejection sensitivity and attachment security play important roles in romantic relationship functioning. This study utilizes multi-informant data to examine the longitudinal associations between rejection sensitivity and romantic relationship quality as well as the moderating impact of attachment security. Data were collected from a diverse sample of 184 adolescents. Regression analyses indicated that rejection sensitivity was related to higher levels of anxious romantic attachment styles. While rejection sensitivity negatively impacted future romantic relationship quality, attachment security appeared to buffer teens from these negative outcomes. Findings suggest that rejection sensitivity is an important cognitive-affective mechanism in the development of adolescent romantic relationships.

Rejection Sensitivity and Attachment ¢ What is Rejection Sensitivity? l ¢ The disposition to anxiously expect, readily perceive, and intensely react to social rejection (Downey & Feldman, 1996) How does Rejection Sensitivity relate to Attachment Security? l Rejection sensitivity research draws upon attachment theory and views behavior patterns as reflections of internal working models of relationships that incorporate expectations about rejection (Bowlby, 1969; Sroufe, 1990).

Research on Romantic Relationships ¢ How does rejection sensitivity concurrently relate to functioning in romantic relationships? ↑Rejection Sensitivity → ↓ Overall satisfaction ↓ Emotionally Supportive Behaviors ↑ Break-ups ¢ How does attachment security relate to functioning in romantic relationships? ↑ Attachment Security → ↑ Commitment, Trust and Satisfaction ↑ Conflict Resolution ↑ Overall Competence in Romantic Relationships (Downey & Feldman, 1996; Downey, Freitas, Michaelis & Khouri, 1998 ) (Duemmler, 2001; Engels, 2001, Simpson, 1990; Simpson, Collins & Tran, 2007; Williams & Risking, 2004)

Research Questions 1) Is rejection sensitivity related to adolescent attachment style in romantic relationships? 2) How does adolescent rejection sensitivity impact future romantic relationship functioning? 3) Do secure states of mind regarding attachment prospectively moderate the relationship between adolescent rejection sensitivity and romantic relationship functioning?

Participants o Multi-method, multi-reporter data were collected from a 184 adolescents (48% Male) o Community-based sample from Small Urban Area o Socio-Economically Diverse (Median Family Income = $40, 000 -$60, 000 range) o 43% African-American; 57% European American o o Time 1: Teen’s Time 2: Teen’s Time 3: Romantic Partner’s Mean age = 14 (SD=. 77) Mean age = 16 (SD=. 90) Mean age = 18 (SD=1. 30) Mean age = 19 (SD=3. 08)

Measures ¢ Attachment Security (Time 1: Age=14) Adult Attachment Interview: (AAI: George, Kaplan & Main, 1995). l I hour semi-structured interview l 3 scales: Secure, Preoccupied and Dismissing Attachment o Rejection Sensitivity (Time 2: Age = 16) Rejection Sensitivity Questionnaire: (RSQ: Downey & Feldman, 1996). o 18 -item self-report measure assessing adolescent’s level of rejection sensitivity. o Scenarios are rated on two dimensions: • the degree of anxiety or concern about the outcome • the expectations of acceptance or rejection.

Measures ¢ Teen Romantic Attachment Style (Time 3: Age=18) Experiences in Close Relationships: (Brennan, Clark & Shaver, 1998) l Self-report of teen’s emotional and behavioral style in romantic relationships l Anxious Attachment: • “I want to get very close to my partner, and this sometimes scares people away. ” l Avoidant Attachment: • “I am nervous when anyone gets too close, and often, others want me to be more intimate than I feel comfortable being. ”

Measures ¢ Teen and Romantic Partner’s Romantic Relationship Functioning (Time 3: Age=18) Relationship Experiences Questionnaire: (Levesque, 1993) l Passion ex: “I get romantically excited just thinking about him/her. ” l Support ex: “I help my partner through difficult times. ” l Togetherness ex: “I am happiest when we’re together. ” Network of Relationship Inventory: (Furman, 1996) l Affection ex: “How much does this person like or love you? ”

Higher levels of teen’s rejection sensitivity (16) predicted higher levels of ANXIOUS ATTACHMENT STYLE in romantic relationships (18). AGE 14 AGE 16 AGE 18 Teen’s Rejection Sensitivity. 46*** -. 08 Attachment Security -. 06 *** p <. 001. ** p <. 01. * p <. 05. Note: Target adolescent age at time of assessment is in parentheses. Beta weights are presented covarying for gender and minority (not depicted Anxious Romantic Attachment Style Total R² = 23***

Teen’s with higher levels of rejection sensitivity at 16 had Romantic Partners who reported experiencing less AFFECTION in their romantic relationship at 18. AGE 14 AGE 16 AGE 18 Teen’s Rejection Sensitivity -. 27** -. 08 Attachment Security -. 16 *** p <. 001. ** p <. 01. * p <. 05. Note: Target adolescent age at time of assessment is in parentheses. Beta weights are presented covarying for gender and minority (not depicted Romantic Partner’s Report of Affection Total R² = 12**

Teen’s with higher levels of rejection sensitivity at 16 had Romantic Partners who reported experiencing less TOGETHERNESS in their romantic relationship at 18. AGE 14 AGE 16 AGE 18 Teen’s Rejection Sensitivity -. 33* -. 08 Attachment Security -. 01 *** p <. 001. ** p <. 01. * p <. 05. Note: Target adolescent age at time of assessment is in parentheses. Beta weights are presented covarying for gender and minority (not depicted Romantic Partner Report of Togetherness Total R² = 12**

Teen’s attachment security (14) appears to buffer the negative effects of Teen’s rejection sensitivity (16) on their reports of PASSION in romantic relationships (18).

Teen’s attachment security (14) appears to buffer the negative effects of Teen’s Rejection Sensitivity (16) on their reports of SUPPORT in romantic relationships (18).

Conclusions ¢ Teen’s high in rejection sensitivity at 16 are more likely to have an anxious attachment styles in romantic relationships at 18. ¢ Teen’s rejection sensitivity at 16 appears to negatively impact future romantic relationships. ¢ l Romantic Partners reported experiencing less affection and togetherness in their relationships with Teen’s high in rejection sensitivity. l Teens high in rejection sensitivity also reported experiencing less passion and support in their relationships. Secure states of mind regarding attachment at 14 buffered the negative effects of teen’s rejection sensitivity at 16 on their reports of romantic relationship quality at 18. l For teens with a secure state of mind regarding attachment, rejection sensitivity has a diminished to negligible effect on future romantic relationships.