Rejection Sensitivity In Adolescent Girls: The Role of Social Acceptance and Externalizing Behaviors Authors: Emily Marston, Joseph P. Allen, Jill A. Antonishak, Amanda Hare, & Kathleen B. McElhaney University of Virginia Copies of the poster and related research are available at

Abstract This study addresses focal questions related to the developmental trajectory of rejection sensitivity in adolescent girls. Data were collected from a diverse sample of 98 adolescent girls. Regression analyses support a theoretical model such that adolescent girls’ who report a lack of social acceptance at age 16, become more sensitive to rejection which subsequently leads to an increase in externalizing behaviors when they are 17 years old. These findings demonstrate the interrelationships between social acceptance, rejection sensitivity and externalizing behaviors.

Introduction oRoRejection Sensitivity is a cognitive-affective process that is conceptualized as the disposition to anxiously expect, readily perceive, and intensely react to social rejection (Downey & Feldman, 1996). oFoFor adolescent females, rejection sensitivity is particularly important given that close relationships play a central role in the lives of women (Gilligan, 1982) and adolescent development (Collins & Laursen, 2004). oPoPeer rejection in adolescence has been associated with negative attributional biases in social situations which leads them to respond with externalizing behaviors (Dodge et al., 2003). oFoFurther, at-risk girls and college women cope with rejection sensitivity through a variety of negative reactions such as overt physical and verbal aggression, as well as self-silencing behaviors and passive hostility (Ayduk, et al., 2003; Downey, et al., 1998).

Question 1: What is the relationship between adolescent girls’ past social experiences and the development of rejection sensitivity? Question 2: Does rejection sensitivity predict changes in externalizing behaviors for adolescent girls? Research Questions

Participants oMulti-Method, Multi-Reporter Data Were Collected from a Sample of 98 Adolescent Girls. oCommunity-Based Sample from Small Urban Area oSocio-Economically Diverse o(Median Family Income = $40,000-$60,000 range) o43% African-American; 57% European American oTime 1: Mean age = 16.2 years old oTime 2: Mean age = 17.2 years old

oRejection Sensitivity: Rejection Sensitivity Questionnaire: (RSQ: Downey & Feldman, 1996). o 18-item self-report measure assessing adolescents’ 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. oSocial Acceptance: The Self-Perception Profile for Adolescents (Harter, 1998). o 4-item self-report subscale assessing perception of Social Acceptance o Adolescents choose between two contrasting stem items o(e.g. Some teens are popular with other kids their age BUT Some teens are not popular with kids their age) o Item is then rated as either "sort of true" or "really true". Measures

oExternalizing Behavior Youth Self Report (YSR: Achenbach, 1991). o12-item self-report subscale assessing Aggression in the past 6 months. oItems were scored on a three-point Likert scale: 0 = not true, 1 = somewhat or sometimes true, 2 = very true or often true. oExample of items include oI am mean to others oI scream a lot oI get in many fights Measures (cont.)

Results Girls’ perception of social acceptance predicted change in rejection sensitivity. oSpecifically, a girl’s lack of perceived social acceptance at age 16 predicted a relative increase in rejection sensitivity at age 17, after controlling for initial levels of rejection sensitivity. ßΔ R2Total R2 Step 1: Income.12 Minority Step 2: Rejection Sensitivity at 16.46**.32.34*** Step 3: Social Acceptance at *.06.40*** p<.05 * ; p<.01** ; p<.001*** Stepwise Hierarchical Regressions Predicting Rejection Sensitivity: ↓ Social Acceptance at 16 Predicts ↑ Rejection Sensitivity at 17

Results Girls’ rejection sensitivity predicted change in externalizing behaviors. oSpecifically, a girl’s rejection sensitivity at age 16 predicted a relative increase in externalizing behaviors at age 17, after controlling for initial levels of externalizing behaviors. ßΔ R2Total R2 Step 1: Income.05 Minority Step 2: Externalizing Behavior at 16.45**.24.26*** Step 3: Rejection Sensitivity at 16.26*.06.32*** p<.05 * ; p<.01** ; p<.001*** Stepwise Hierarchical Regressions Predicting Externalizing Behaviors: ↑ Rejection Sensitivity at 16 Predicts ↑ Externalizing Behaviors at 17

Theoretical Model: Relationship between Rejection Sensitivity and Social Acceptance 16 Years Old 17 Years Old Rejection Sensitivity Social Acceptance -.27** -.39***-.37**.56*** Note: Results presented as standardized regression weights

Theoretical Model: Relationship between Rejection Sensitivity and Externalizing Behaviors 16 Years Old 17 Years Old Rejection Sensitivity Aggression Aggression.28**.17.23*.56***.49*** Note: Results presented as standardized regression weights

Conclusions An adolescent girl’s lack of perceived social acceptance at age 16 predicted a relative increase in rejection sensitivity at age 17, after controlling for initial levels of rejection sensitivity. Additionally, an adolescent girl’s rejection sensitivity at age 16 predicted a relative increase in externalizing behaviors at age 17, after controlling for initial levels of externalizing behaviors. In sum, adolescent girls’ who report a lack of social acceptance appear to become more sensitive to rejection which subsequently leads to an increase in externalizing behaviors. We would like to thank the National Institute of Mental Health for funding awarded to Joseph P Allen, Principal Investigator, (Grants #R01-MH58066) for the conduct and write-up of this study.

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