Date of Conferral

2016

Degree

Ph.D.

School

Psychology

Advisor

Patricia Loun

Abstract

Although the psychological effects of appearance schemas have been studied in the general population, we know little about the relation of these schemas to appearance-based rejection sensitivity. This study examined the relations among predictive variables of appearance-invested self-schemas (self-evaluative salience [SES] and motivational salience [MS]), appearance-based rejection sensitivity, and depressive affect. Self-discrepancy theory was used to theorize that when individuals experience discrepancies with self, conflict arises in self-schemas, and that this conflict relates to an increase in depressive affect and appearance-based rejection sensitivity. The sample consisted of 131 adult female college students participating in a continuing education program. Multiple regression was used to evaluate the relation between appearance-invested self-schema and depressive affect. A second multiple regression equation was conducted to evaluate the relation between appearance-invested self-schema and appearance-based rejection sensitivity. Participants with higher SES scores had significantly higher depressive affect scores and appearance-based rejection sensitivity scores. Participants with higher MS scores had significantly lower depressive affect and appearance-based rejection sensitivity scores. High SES significantly predicted more depression and sensitivity to rejection based on appearance, and high MS appeared to be a protective factor against depression and appearance based rejection. The results of the study promote positive social change by helping professionals improve treatments for individuals suffering from negative appearance-invested self-schemas, rejection sensitivity, and depression.

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