Date of Conferral

11-25-2025

Date of Award

November 2025

Degree

Ph.D.

School

Counselor Education and Supervision

Advisor

Alejandra Chavez Stuart

Abstract

Gen Z, the first digital-native cohort, faces unique challenges in forming romantic relationships, including heightened dating anxiety. While there is extensive research with previous generations on dating anxiety, self-esteem, and early rejection, no study has examined parental rejection, self-esteem, and dating anxiety collectively, particularly in consideration of gender diverse individuals and digital dating platform use. The purpose of this correlational study was to examine (a) predictors of dating anxiety and (b) whether parental rejection during childhood and rejection sensitivity influenced dating anxiety, as well as the role of self-esteem in mediating those predictor variables. The conceptual framework was the interpersonal acceptance-rejection theory and the rejection sensitivity model. Young adults aged 18–28 (N = 85) completed the Adult Parental Acceptance-Rejection Questionnaire-Short, Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale, Interpersonal Rejection Sensitivity Scale, and Dating Anxiety Scale for Adolescents. Results of a multiple linear regression with mediation indicated that dating experience significantly predicted lower dating anxiety, B = -6.727, SE = 2.362, t(81) = -2.85, p = .006, 95% CI [-11.426, -2.028]. Parental rejection affected dating anxiety through self-esteem, ab = 0.084, 95% CI [0.016, 0.178]. Rejection sensitivity was the strongest predictor, B = 1.2919, SE = 0.1481, t(81) = 8.72, p < .001, 95% CI [0.997, 1.587]. The findings indicate that traditional predictors of dating anxiety may not apply to Gen Z, underscoring the need to address rejection sensitivity in counseling and for social change initiatives that promote healthier relationship development and emotional well-being among young adults.

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