Links Between Rejection Sensitivity and Adolescent RomanticRelationship Functioning: The Mediating Role of Problem Solving Behaviors

Document Type

Article

Journal/Book Title/Conference

Journal of Aggression,Maltreatment, and Trauma

Volume

19

Publication Date

2010

First Page

1

Last Page

21

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.

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