1. Dads Do Matter: Adolescents’ Relationships With Dads Predicting Later Rejection Sensitivity I would like to thank the William T. Grant Foundation, Spencer Foundation, and National Institute of Mental Health for funding provided to Dr. Joseph Allen, Principal Investigator, for the conduct and write-up of this study. The author can be reached at: Martin J. Ho Department of Psychology University of Virginia P.O. Box 400400 Charlottesville, Virginia 22904-4400 mjh4y@virginia.edu

2. Abstract This study examines the influence dads have on the development of rejection sensitivity during adolescence. Data were collected from 72 adolescents at age 13 and again at age 17. Adolescents who reported feeling more accepted and more attached to their dads at age 13 reported less rejection sensitivity at age 17, after accounting for feelings of acceptance and attachment to moms. These findings highlight the role parents, especially dads, have on the development of rejection sensitivity in adolescents.

3. Introduction The construct Rejection Sensitivity (Downey & Feldman, 1996) postulates that anxious expectations of rejection can be traced back to childhood, where the needs of a child are met with rejection. Research on rejection sensitivity has primarily focused on its impact on close, romantic relationships. Although many findings have linked higher levels of rejection sensitivity to more problematic peer and intimate relationships, little research has focused on the development of rejection sensitivity during adolescence.

4. Introduction (cont.) The current study uses hierarchical regression analysis to explore the role parents have on the development of later adolescent rejection sensitivity. Specifically, we examine: Links between adolescent feelings of acceptance from their parents, including dads, and later rejection sensitivity. Links between adolescent feelings of attachment to their parents, including dads, and later rejection sensitivity. We also explore the parent and peer components of the Rejection Sensitivity measure and compare results from each component on our two models.

5. Method Participants Data were collected from 72 adolescents recruited through a public school (44% male, 35% minority, median family income $50,000). Adolescents were followed from age 13 to 17. Measures Rejection Sensitivity Questionnaire (RSQ): Assessed at age 17 and scored according to the guidelines developed by Downey & Feldman (1996), the RSQ is an 18-item self-report measure assessing adolescents’ level of rejection sensitivity.

6. Method (cont.) Rejection Sensitivity Questionnaire (cont.): Scenarios are rated on two dimensions: the degree of anxiety or concern about the outcome the expectations of acceptance or rejection. Two shortened versions of the RSQ were used in addition to the full scale: The RSQ-peer scale consists of 13 items measuring rejection sensitivity to peer-related scenarios (Chronbach’s alpha = 0.86). The RSQ-parent scale consists of 4 items measuring rejection sensitivity to parent-related scenarios (Chronbach’s alpha = 0.70).

7. Method (cont.) Childhood Report of Parenting Behavior Inventory (CRPBI): Assessed at age 13, the CRPBI (Schaefer, 1965) is a 30- item self-report measure. The acceptance subscale measures the quality of the parent-teen relationship through the teens’ perceptions of the parents as affectionate, emotionally supportive, and egalitarian. Inventory of Parent and Peer Attachment (IPPA): Assessed at age 13, adolescents’ attachment to parents was assessed. The IPPA (Armsden & Greenberg, 1987) is a twenty-five item self-report measure assessing adolescents’ perceptions of how well their parents serve as a source of psychological security.

8. Results Hierarchical regressions reveal: Adolescents reporting more feelings of acceptance by their dads at age 13 reported less rejection sensitivity at age 17 on all three versions of the RSQ (RSQ-full:  = -.40, p<.01; RSQ-peer:  = -.24, p<.05; RSQ-parent:  = -.43, p<.01), above and beyond feelings of acceptance by their moms and accounting for demographic factors (Table 1). Adolescents reporting higher feelings of attachment with their dads at age 13 reported less rejection sensitivity at age 17 on the RSQ-full (  = -.33, p<.05) and RSQ-peer (  = -.35, p<.05) versions, above and beyond feelings of attachment with their moms and accounting for demographic factors (Table 2).

9. Table 1: Acceptance From Parents and Rejection Sensitivity Note. ** p <.01. * p <.05; n=72

10. Table 2: Attachment to Parents and Rejection Sensitivity Note. ** p <.01. * p <.05; n=72

11. Conclusions The results have important implications for understanding the development of rejection sensitivity through external influences that help shape rejection sensitivity throughout adolescence. Results support the hypothesis that adolescents’ relationships with parents—more importantly, with dads—may help in better understanding the development of rejection sensitivity in adolescents. The results highlights the importance of close, supportive relationships between adolescents and their dads in promoting better peer and future close, romantic relationships.

12. Conclusions The associations between adolescent relationships with dads and later rejection sensitivity stress the importance of studying the impact dads have on adolescent psychosocial development. The parent and peer components of the RSQ do not show any differences from the RSQ-full scale.

13. References Armsden, G. C., & Greenberg, M. T. (1987). The inventory of parent and peer attachment: Individual differences and their relationship to psychological well-being in adolescence. Journal of Youth and Adolescence, 16, 427-454. Downey, G., & Feldman, S. I. (1996). Implications of rejection sensitivity for intimate relationships. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 70, 1327-1343. Schaefer, E. S. (1965). Children’s report of parental behavior: An inventory. Child Development, 36, 413-424.