Date of Conferral

2023

Degree

Ph.D.

School

Psychology

Advisor

Amanda Rose

Abstract

AbstractRejection sensitivity is the ongoing anxious or angry expectation of interpersonal rejection. Anxiety can potentially have a significant detrimental impact on the mental health of adolescents who are characterized as having rejection sensitivity. Although negative consequences of anxiety on mental health have been studied, there is a limited understanding regarding how rejection sensitive adolescents are at risk for anxiety. This study involved examining relations between adolescent rejection sensitivity and anxiety and whether they were moderated by problem-solving skills, an indicator of resiliency, as well as gender. Theoretical frameworks in this study were the rejection sensitivity model and resilience theory. This study involved using a quantitative nonexperimental research design with archived survey data that were collected from 642 adolescents who had just completed seventh and tenth grades. Results showed that rejection sensitivity positively correlated with anxiety and gender moderated this relationship in that the relationship was strengthened for girls as compared to boys. However, only problem-solving confidence was marginally significant in terms of moderating the relationship between angry rejection sensitivity and anxiety such that the relationship was weakened. Findings in this study advance knowledge about the relationship between adolescent rejection sensitivity and anxiety and can inform interventions aimed at lessening risks for anxiety. Implications for positive social change include improving problem-solving skills of adolescents who are characterized as having rejection sensitivity which could potentially improve their emotional wellbeing by lessening their risk for anxiety.

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