Rejection sensitivity, social withdrawal, and loneliness in young adults

WATSON, JOHN; NESDALE, DREW

doi:10.1111/j.1559-1816.2012.00927.x

Cited by 218Death Anxiety and Social ExclusionBullying, Victimization, and AggressionAnxiety, Depression, Psychometrics, Treatment, Cognitive Processes

Rejection sensitivity, social withdrawal, and loneliness in young adults

WATSON, JOHN, NESDALE, DREW·2012·Journal of Applied Social Psychology

DOI 10.1111/j.1559-1816.2012.00927.x

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Abstract

Rejection sensitivity (RS) has significant negative impacts on individuals' social cognitions, feelings, and interpersonal behaviors. The present research assessed the hypothesis that the effect of RS on young adults' loneliness is mediated by their tendency to withdraw from social contact so as to avoid possible rejection. Participants completed measures of their RS, their tendencies to engage in social withdrawal to avoid rejection, and their loneliness; as well as measures of their social avoidance and distress, self‐esteem, and social self‐efficacy. Results confirmed the main hypothesis and also indicated that RS is positively related to social avoidance and distress, and negatively related to self‐esteem and social self‐efficacy. Implications of the findings for understanding and counteracting RS are discussed.

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Rejection sensitivity has been linked with reduced self-esteem.
“RS has been linked with reduced self-esteem (Watson & Nesdale, 2012) and may give rise to significant psychopathology (Gao, Assink, Cipriani, & Lin, 2017;Pietrzak et al., 2005;Rosenbach & Renneberg, 2011).”
From The link between rejection sensitivity and borderline personality disorder: A systematic review and meta-analysis (2019) · cites this paper as Watson & Nesdale, 2012
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Jefferson, R., Barreto, M., Jones, F., Conway, J., Chohan, A., Madsen, K. R., Verity, L., Petersen, K. J., & Qualter, P. (2023) · British Journal of Educational Psychology · doi:10.1111/bjep.12616 · Cited by 70 · see citing works
Social Confidence in Early Adulthood Among Young People With and Without a History of Language Impairment
Durkin, K., Toseeb, U., Botting, N., Pickles, A. R., & Conti‐Ramsden, G. (2017) · Journal of Speech Language and Hearing Research · doi:10.1044/2017_jslhr-l-16-0256 · Cited by 60 · see citing works
“SSE is associated negatively with shyness and positively with global self-esteem (Caprara & Steca, 2005; Smith & Betz, 2000; Watson & Nesdale, 2012).”
Background
Cultural Intelligence Trajectories in New International Students: Implications for the Development of Cross-Cultural Competence
Wang, K. T., Heppner, P. P., Wang, L., & Zhu, F. (2014) · International Perspectives in Psychology · doi:10.1037/ipp0000027 · Cited by 59 · see citing works
Psychosocial stress, interpersonal sensitivity, and social withdrawal in clinical high risk for psychosis: a systematic review
Georgiades, A., Almuqrin, A., Rubinic, P., Mouhitzadeh, K., Tognin, S., & Mechelli, A. (2023) · Schizophrenia · doi:10.1038/s41537-023-00362-z · Cited by 58 · see citing works
Evolution and Emerging Trends in Depression Research From 2004 to 2019: A Literature Visualization Analysis
Wang, H., Tian, X., Wang, X., & Wang, Y. (2021) · Frontiers in Psychiatry · doi:10.3389/fpsyt.2021.705749 · Cited by 56 · see citing works
Teacher support and the social classroom environment as predictors of student loneliness
Morin, A. H. (2020) · Social Psychology of Education · doi:10.1007/s11218-020-09600-z · Cited by 49 · see citing works
The Dark Side of Employee Collaboration with Robots: Exploring Its Impact on Self-Esteem Threat and Burnout
He, G., Zheng, X., Li, W., Zheng, L., & He, Y. (2023) · International Journal of Human-Computer Interaction · doi:10.1080/10447318.2023.2295691 · Cited by 48 · see citing works
“Furthermore, self-esteem threats can lead to social withdrawal and isolation, further aggravating the risk of burnout (Crocker & Park, 2004; Watson & Nesdale, 2012).”
The relationship between rejection sensitivity and social anxiety among Chinese college students: The mediating roles of loneliness and self-esteem
Lin, Y., & Fan, Z. (2022) · Current Psychology · doi:10.1007/s12144-021-02443-7 · Cited by 50 · see citing works
“Previous studies have also shown that college students with higher rejection sensitivity adopted more avoidant behaviors in interpersonal communication, making them lonelier (Watson & Nesdale, 2012).”
Background
Rejection sensitivity and suicide ideation among psychiatric inpatients: An integration of two theoretical models
Brown, S. L., Mitchell, S. M., Roush, J. F., La Rosa, N. L., & Cukrowicz, K. C. (2019) · Psychiatry Research · doi:10.1016/j.psychres.2018.12.009 · Cited by 44 · see citing works
Rejection sensitivity as a mediator of the relationship between experienced rejection and borderline characteristics
Rosenbach, C., & Renneberg, B. (2014) · Personality and Individual Differences · doi:10.1016/j.paid.2014.05.032 · Cited by 43 · see citing works
School belongingness, well‐being, and mental health among adolescents: Exploring the role of loneliness
Arslan, G. (2020) · Australian Journal of Psychology · doi:10.1111/ajpy.12274 · Cited by 42 · see citing works
Effects of Social Exclusion on Cardiovascular and Affective Reactivity to a Socially Evaluative Stressor
Williamson, T. J., Thomas, K. S., Eisenberger, N. I., & Stanton, A. L. (2018) · International Journal of Behavioral Medicine · doi:10.1007/s12529-018-9720-5 · Cited by 42 · see citing works
The Loneliness of the Odd One Out: How Deviations From Social Norms Can Help Explain Loneliness Across Cultures
Heu, L. C. (2023) · Perspectives on Psychological Science · doi:10.1177/17456916231192485 · Cited by 40 · see citing works
“Nevertheless, personal sensitivity to deviating from social norms may turn even just brief deviations into chronic loneliness (Watson & Nesdale, 2012; see “Practical Implications”).”
Influential
Influence of loneliness and rejection sensitivity on threat sensitivity in romantic relationships in young and middle-aged adults
Nowland, R. A., Talbot, R., & Qualter, P. (2018) · Personality and Individual Differences · doi:10.1016/j.paid.2018.04.047 · Cited by 39 · see citing works
“…to be a mechanism that links loneliness to RTS. Previous studies have shown an association between loneliness and RS (London et al., 2007; Watson & Nesdale, 2012) and an association between RS and general threat sensitivity (Berenston et al., 2009; Burkland et al., 2007), but this is the first…”
BackgroundResult
Mind Your Language: The Effects of Linguistic Ostracism on Interpersonal Work Behaviors
Fiset, J. E., & Bhave, D. P. (2019) · Journal of Management · doi:10.1177/0149206319833445 · Cited by 39 · see citing works
“SSE is a person’s “self-rated ability to deal effectively with others” (Sherer, Maddux, Mercadante, Prentice-Dunn, Jacobs, & Rogers, 1982: 670) and refers to a personal conviction that previously developed friendships are the result of one’s interpersonal skill (Watson & Nesdale, 2012).”
How social rejection expectations and depressive symptoms bi‐directionally predict each other – A cross‐lagged panel analysis
Kirchner, L., Schummer, S. E., Krug, H., Κube, T., & Rief, W. (2022) · Psychology and Psychotherapy Theory Research and Practice · doi:10.1111/papt.12383 · Cited by 38 · see citing works
Factors Associated with Recurrent Suicidal Ideation among Racially and Ethnically Diverse College Students with a History of Suicide Attempt: The Role of Mindfulness
Chesin, M. S., & Jeglic, E. L. (2015) · Archives of Suicide Research · doi:10.1080/13811118.2015.1004488 · Cited by 37 · see citing works
“We included rejection sensitivity, a social cognitiveaffective processing style linked to but not completely correlated with identified interpersonal triggers (current loneliness, isolation) of suicidal behavior in college students (Watson & Nesdale, 2012).”
Background
The influence of social exclusion on adolescents' social withdrawal behavior: The moderating role of connectedness to nature
Chen, L., Zeng, S., & Su, Y. (2023) · Journal of Environmental Psychology · doi:10.1016/j.jenvp.2022.101951 · Cited by 37 · see citing works
A longitudinal model of rejection sensitivity and internalizing symptoms: Testing emotion regulation deficits as a mechanism and outcome of symptoms
Gardner, A. A., Zimmer‐Gembeck, M. J., & Modecki, K. L. (2020) · Journal of Personality · doi:10.1111/jopy.12549 · Cited by 36 · see citing works
Remembering rejection: Specificity and linguistic styles of autobiographical memories in borderline personality disorder and depression
Rosenbach, C., & Renneberg, B. (2014) · Journal of Behavior Therapy and Experimental Psychiatry · doi:10.1016/j.jbtep.2014.09.002 · Cited by 35 · see citing works
“In response to (assumed) rejection, they typically react either with aggressive behavior, with high social devotion or with social withdrawal (Ayduk, Gyurak, & Luerssen, 2008; Pearson, Watkins, & Mullan, 2010; Watson & Nesdale, 2012).”
Background
Loneliness Corresponds with Politically Conservative Thought
Floyd, K. (2017) · Research in psychology and behavioral sciences · doi:10.12691/rpbs-5-1-3 · Cited by 34 · see citing works
“It may be the case that loneliness is associated with a tendency to vote for conservative candidates [54], but it is similarly possible that loneliness corresponds to a tendency to abstain from voting altogether, as a means of protecting the self against perceived threats associated with social engagement, given that…”
Background
The longitudinal relationship between loneliness and both social anxiety and mobile phone addiction among rural left‐behind children: A cross‐lagged panel analysis
Wu, D., Liu, M., Li, D., & Yin, H. (2024) · Journal of Adolescence · doi:10.1002/jad.12309 · Cited by 35 · see citing works
Examining boss phubbing and employee outcomes through the lens of affective events theory
Khan, M. N., Shahzad, K., & Bartels, J. (2021) · Aslib Journal of Information Management · doi:10.1108/ajim-07-2021-0198 · Cited by 32 · see citing works
Self-Control and Problematic Internet Use in College Students: The Chain Mediating Effect of Rejection Sensitivity and Loneliness
Fan, Z., Chen, M., & Lin, Y. (2022) · Psychology Research and Behavior Management · doi:10.2147/prbm.s352060 · Cited by 40 · see citing works
“Several empirical studies have shown that individuals with high rejection sensitivity have a higher level of loneliness.(33,34) According to the social cognitive model of rejection sensitivity, individuals’ early experiences of rejection cause them to form an anxious expectation of rejection, which makes them alert to…”
Background
Alone in a Crowd: Is Social Contact Associated with Less Psychological Pain of Loneliness in Everyday Life?
Stavrova, O., & Ren, D. (2023) · Journal of Happiness Studies · doi:10.1007/s10902-023-00661-3 · Cited by 32 · see citing works
“Chronic (or dispositional) loneliness is associated with lower levels of enthusiasm for social interactions (Vanhalst et al., 2015) and greater social withdrawal tendencies (Nurmi et al., 1996; Watson & Nesdale, 2012).”
Background
The effect of ostracism on social withdrawal behavior: the mediating role of self-esteem and the moderating role of rejection sensitivity
Lei, Y.-J., Li, M., Lin, C., Zhang, C., & Yu, Z.-K. (2024) · Frontiers in Psychology · doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1411697 · Cited by 31 · see citing works
The experience of loneliness among people with a “personality disorder” diagnosis or traits: a qualitative meta-synthesis
Ikhtabi, S., Pitman, A., Toh, G., Birken, M., Pearce, E., & Johnson, S. (2022) · BMC Psychiatry · doi:10.1186/s12888-022-03767-9 · Cited by 33 · see citing works
Depressive symptoms and loneliness among early adolescents: a psychometric network analysis approach
Grygiel, P., Dolata, R., Humenny, G., & Muszyński, M. A. (2023) · Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry · doi:10.1111/jcpp.13876 · Cited by 30 · see citing works
Social expectations in depression
Kirchner, L., Κube, T., Berg, M., Eckert, A.-L., Straube, B., Endres, D., & Rief, W. (2024) · Nature Reviews Psychology · doi:10.1038/s44159-024-00386-x · Cited by 31 · see citing works
“Cross-sectional studies have shown an association between measures that included assessment of expectations of social rejection and depressive symptoms that might be mediated by interpretation biases and dysfunctional interpersonal behaviors related to social stimuli and situations 97,138,139 .”
Intimacy, Loneliness & Infidelity
Rokach, A., & Philibert-Lignières, G. (2015) · The Open Psychology Journal · doi:10.2174/1874350101508010071 · Cited by 30 · see citing works
“The role of perceived social support as a buffer and protective barrier to loneliness has been well documented [91-93].”
Background
Rejection Sensitivity and Responses to Rejection: Serial Mediators Linking Parenting to Adolescents and Young Adults’ Depression and Trait-Anxiety
Gardner, A. A., & Zimmer‐Gembeck, M. J. (2018) · Journal of Relationships Research · doi:10.1017/jrr.2018.8 · Cited by 30 · see citing works
“…withdrawal and isolation; which in turn may elicit even more interpersonal interactions that exhibit signs of rejection, future escalation of problems in social relationships, and poorer emotional functioning (Downey & Feldman, 1996; Levy et al., 2001; Watson & Nesdale, 2012; Zimmer-Gembeck, 2015).”
BackgroundResultInfluential
Rejection Sensitivity and Depression: Indirect Effects Through Problem Solving
Kraines, M. A., & Wells, T. T. (2017) · Psychiatry · doi:10.1080/00332747.2016.1185891 · Cited by 28 · see citing works
“Watson and Nesdale (2012) found that avoiding social contact and possible rejection mediated the relationship between RS and loneliness.”
Background
Rejection sensitivity and multiple group memberships: The moderating role of an oxytocin receptor gene polymorphism
Woods, R., Bedard, M., McQuaid, R. J., Matheson, K., & Anisman, H. (2017) · Social Neuroscience · doi:10.1080/17470919.2017.1327458 · Cited by 27 · see citing works
“Predictably, being sensitive to rejection might impede the formation of valued group memberships as social avoidance behaviors may be engaged when the possibility of rejection is high (MacDonald & Leary, 2005; Watson & Nesdale, 2012).”
Background
Effects of rejection intensity and rejection sensitivity on social approach behavior in women
Schaan, V., Schulz, A., Bernstein, M. J., Schächinger, H., & Vögele, C. (2020) · PLoS ONE · doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0227799 · Cited by 27 · see citing works
“RS has been found to predict self-reported loneliness and social avoidance [48].”
Background
Short-sighted ghosts. Psychological antecedents and consequences of ghosting others within emerging adults’ romantic relationships and friendships
Forrai, M., Koban, K., & Matthes, J. (2023) · Telematics and Informatics · doi:10.1016/j.tele.2023.101969 · Cited by 23 · see citing works
Loneliness and Hypervigilance to Social Cues in Females: An Eye-Tracking Study
Lodder, G. M. A., Scholte, R. H. J., Clemens, I. A. H., Engels, R. C. M. E., Goossens, L., & Verhagen, M. (2015) · PLoS ONE · doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0125141 · Cited by 21 · see citing works
“Indeed, earlier research shows ample evidence for differences such as these in later stages of social information processing, such as a hostile attribution bias, withdrawn behavior, and increased memory for social cues [4,7,49].”
Background
How loneliness undermines close relationships and persists over time: The role of perceived regard and care.
Lemay, E. P., Cutri, J. N., & Teneva, N. (2024) · Journal of Personality and Social Psychology · doi:10.1037/pspi0000451 · Cited by 24 · see citing works
Peer Rejection in Childhood
Nesdale, D., & Zimmer‐Gembeck, M. J. (2013) · Wiley eBooks · doi:10.1002/9781118427378.ch8 · Cited by 22 · see citing works
By yourself, yet not alone: Making space for loneliness
Heu, L. C., & Brennecke, T. (2023) · Urban Studies · doi:10.1177/00420980231169669 · Cited by 21 · see citing works
“…people who are perceived to deviate from social norms can feel alone with their experiences, and judged or rejected for them (Heu et al., 2021b; Watson and Nesdale, 2012), which increases the risk for loneliness (Heu et al., 2021a; Pedersen et al., 2012; Rokach, 2014; Watson and Nesdale, 2012).”
Background
Peer Victimization and Adolescent Suicide: The Mediating Effect of Risk Behaviors
Moon, S.-S., Karlson, A., & Kim, Y. (2014) · Child and Adolescent Social Work Journal · doi:10.1007/s10560-014-0365-1 · Cited by 1 · see citing works
Can two negatives make a positive? Social exclusion prevents carryover effects from deceptive advertising
Aghakhani, H., & Main, K. J. (2019) · Journal of Retailing and Consumer Services · doi:10.1016/j.jretconser.2018.11.021 · Cited by 15 · see citing works
Relations between different components of rejection sensitivity and adjustment in Chinese children
Ding, X., Fu, R., Ooi, L. L., Coplan, R. J., Zheng, Q., & Deng, X. (2020) · Journal of Applied Developmental Psychology · doi:10.1016/j.appdev.2020.101119 · Cited by 20 · see citing works
Cultural Dimensions Moderate the Association between Loneliness and Mental Health during Adolescence and Younger Adulthood: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Wang, J.-A., Wang, H., Cao, B., Lei, X., & Long, C. (2024) · Journal of Youth and Adolescence · doi:10.1007/s10964-024-01977-w · Cited by 21 · see citing works
It takes a virtual village: Childbearing women's experience of a closed Facebook support group for mothers
Gleeson, D. M., Craswell, A., & Jones, C. M. (2021) · Women and Birth · doi:10.1016/j.wombi.2021.04.011 · Cited by 18 · see citing works
How young adults cope with loneliness: a study of London’s most deprived boroughs
Tagomori, H., Fardghassemi, S., & Joffé, H. (2022) · International Journal of Adolescence and Youth · doi:10.1080/02673843.2021.2013263 · Cited by 18 · see citing works
“…differences in one’s sensitivity to rejection has been associated with Facebook usage frequency (Farahani et al., 2011) and social withdrawal (Watson & Nesdale, 2012), the early identification of those at a greater risk of using social media in a way that perpetuates the avoidance of…”
Background
Rejection sensitivity and mental well‐being : The positive role of friendship quality
Efeoglu, B., & Sen, C. K. N. (2021) · Personal Relationships · doi:10.1111/pere.12403 · Cited by 17 · see citing works
Rejection Sensitivity and Reactive Aggression in Early Adults: The Mediating Role of Loneliness and Maladaptive Coping
Du, X., Ding, C., Xiang, G., Li, Q., Liu, X., Xiao, M., Song, S., & Chen, H. (2022) · Psychological Reports · doi:10.1177/00332941221125771 · Cited by 19 · see citing works
“Evidence has suggested that high rejection sensitivity individuals have lower relationship satisfaction (Demircioglu & Goncu-Kose, 2021; Downey et al., 1998) and reported higher loneliness (Nowland et al., 2018; Watson & Nesdale, 2012).”
BackgroundResult
What allays loneliness? A fine-grained examination of daily social interactions
Silva, G., Rum, R., Brennan, J., Rottenberg, J. A., & Goodman, F. R. (2023) · Journal of Social and Personal Relationships · doi:10.1177/02654075231181709 · Cited by 16 · see citing works
“For example, the more people worry about being rejected during their social interactions, the lonelier they feel (Watson & Nesdale, 2012).”
Background
Interpersonal Sensitivity in the Period of Self-Isolation and Its Role in the Choice of Social Distancing Measures
Polskaya, N. A., & Razvaliaeva, A. Y. (2020) · Psychological Science and Education · doi:10.17759/pse.2020250606 · Cited by 17 · see citing works
School Relations and Solitude in Early Adolescence: A Mediation Model Involving Rejection Sensitivity
Molinari, L., Grazia, V., & Corsano, P. (2019) · The Journal of Early Adolescence · doi:10.1177/0272431619847523 · Cited by 20 · see citing works
“…primary purposes and predictions of the current study were derived from RS theory (Downey & Feldman, 1996; Downey et al., 1998; London et al., 2007; Watson & Nesdale, 2012) and supported by previous empirical research conducted in the field on populations of early adolescents (Ayduk, Downey, &…”
BackgroundResult
Interactions between anxiety subtypes, personality characteristics, and emotional regulation skills as predictors of future work outcomes
Chandra, C. M., Szwedo, D. E., Allen, J. P., Narr, R. K., & Tan, J. S. (2020) · Journal of Adolescence · doi:10.1016/j.adolescence.2020.02.011 · Cited by 15 · see citing works
Evaluating the Efficacy of a Guided and Unguided Internet-Based Self-help Intervention for Chronic Loneliness: Protocol for a 3-Arm Randomized Controlled Trial
Seewer, N., Skoko, A., Käll, A., Andersson, G., Luhmann, M., Berger, T., & Krieger, T. (2022) · JMIR Research Protocols · doi:10.2196/36358 · Cited by 14 · see citing works
“Hence, a lack of perceived social efficacy, (ie, confidence in the ability to engage in social interactions or initiate and maintain interpersonal relationships) can be reduced in individuals with increased levels of loneliness [22,36,37].”
Background
Body surveillance predicts young Chinese women’s social anxiety: testing a mediation model
Teng, F., & Poon, K. (2020) · Journal of Gender Studies · doi:10.1080/09589236.2020.1728523 · Cited by 14 · see citing works
As long as you are self‐compassionate, you will never walk alone. The interplay between self‐compassion and rejection sensitivity in predicting loneliness
Borawski, D., & Nowak, A. (2022) · International Journal of Psychology · doi:10.1002/ijop.12850 · Cited by 14 · see citing works
Psychological Aspects of Shopping Addiction: Initial Test of a Stress and Coping Model
Cassidy, T., & Adair, Z. (2021) · International Journal of Psychological and Brain Sciences · doi:10.11648/j.ijpbs.20210602.12 · Cited by 14 · see citing works
“Rejection sensitivity is a key factor in loneliness [16, 17], and is related to social isolation, difficult relationships, and negative affect [18].”
Background
Job loss-related complicated grief symptoms: A cognitive-behavioral framework
van Eersel, J. H. W., Taris, T. W., & Boelen, P. A. (2022) · Frontiers in Psychiatry · doi:10.3389/fpsyt.2022.933995 · Cited by 15 · see citing works
“Individuals who expect to be rejected by their social environment are more likely to engage in social withdrawal (47).”
Background
Rejection sensitivity and trait anxiety: The indirect effects of regulatory emotional self-efficacy and shyness
Wu, Q., Ran, G., & Zhang, Q. (2020) · Current Psychology · doi:10.1007/s12144-020-01070-y · Cited by 14 · see citing works
Social compensation or social enhancement? A path model connecting rejection sensitivity and loneliness for Chinese online dating applications users
Yang, S., Huang, V., Zhong, L., Liu, X., & Zhong, R. (2023) · Computers in Human Behavior · doi:10.1016/j.chb.2023.107929 · Cited by 15 · see citing works
Pleasing or withdrawing: Differences between dependent and self-critical depression in psychosocial functioning following rejection
Deng, Y., Wang, S., Leng, L., Chen, H., Yang, T., & Liu, X. (2018) · Personality and Individual Differences · doi:10.1016/j.paid.2018.02.037 · Cited by 13 · see citing works
Social distancing and anxiety among female caregivers of children ages zero-to-five during coronavirus disease (COVID-19) lockdown in the United States
Baiden, P., LaBrenz, C. A., & Findley, E. (2021) · Journal of Affective Disorders Reports · doi:10.1016/j.jadr.2021.100154 · Cited by 13 · see citing works
Perfectionism and suicidal ideation: the serial mediating roles of appearance-based rejection sensitivity and loneliness
Zhao, W. X., Wu, A. M. S., Feng, C., Yu, K. G., Wang, Z., & Jiao, K. (2024) · Current Psychology · doi:10.1007/s12144-024-06230-y · Cited by 12 · see citing works
“Therefore, our findings added to the literature that rejection sensitivity is not only a significant predictor of loneliness (Watson & Nesdale, 2012 ) but also works to heighten the risk-enhanc - ing effect of perfectionism, regardless of which kind (SOP or SPP), to increase a young adults’ sense…”
Relationship between interpersonal competences and loneliness among Chinese college students: a two-year follow-up study
Ren, L., Mo, B., Li, D., Liu, J., Bullock, A., & Yuan, M. (2021) · Current Psychology · doi:10.1007/s12144-021-02048-0 · Cited by 12 · see citing works
Modeling social interaction dynamics measured with smartphone sensors: An ambulatory assessment study on social interactions and loneliness
Elmer, T., & Lodder, G. M. A. (2022) · Journal of Social and Personal Relationships · doi:10.1177/02654075221122069 · Cited by 11 · see citing works
Group Flow: A Theory of Group Member Interactions in the Moment and Over Time
Lavoie, R. V., Baer, M., & Rouse, E. D. (2024) · Academy of Management Review · doi:10.5465/amr.2021.0458 · Cited by 12 · see citing works
From childhood emotional abuse to adolescent loneliness: The roles of self-compassion and rejection sensitivity
Qu, Y. (2024) · Child Abuse & Neglect · doi:10.1016/j.chiabu.2024.107020 · Cited by 12 · see citing works
Interpersonal needs and psychological pain: The role of brooding and rejection sensitivity
Lear, M. K., Stacy, S. E., & Pepper, C. M. (2017) · Death Studies · doi:10.1080/07481187.2017.1393029 · Cited by 11 · see citing works
“This tendency to perceive rejection when faced with ambiguous social situations is associated with depression (Downey & Feldman, 1996) and loneliness in early adolescents and young adults (London, Downey, Bonica, & Paltin, 2007; Watson & Nesdale, 2012).”
Background
Interpersonal sensitivity and social avoidance and distress in female college students: Mediating role of self-inconsistency and moderating role of self-consciousness
Luo, Y., Zhenrong, S., Zhang, B., Yu, P., Zhang, A., & Zeng, Y. (2021) · Journal of Psychology in Africa · doi:10.1080/14330237.2021.1927342 · Cited by 11 · see citing works
“Moreover, high interpersonal sensitivity was associated with poor interpersonal communication ability (Qu et al ., 2010), social withdrawal, avoidance, distress, and anxiety (London et al ., 2007; Watson & Nesdale, 2012) .”
BackgroundResultInfluential
Lacerations of the Soul: Rejection-Sensitive Business School Faculty and Perceived Publication Performance
Day, N. E., & Porter, T. H. (2017) · Journal of Leadership & Organizational Studies · doi:10.1177/1548051817709008 · Cited by 11 · see citing works
“…to self-silence (London, Downey, Romero-Canyas, Rattan, & Tyson, 2012); highly rejection-sensitive adolescents tended to withdraw from interactions (Watson & Nesdale, 2012); highly rejection-sensitive teenagers later tended to avoid adult romantic relationships (Hafen et al., 2014); and those…”
Background
Loneliness and Relationship Well-Being: Investigating the Mediating Roles of Relationship Awareness and Distraction among Romantic Partners
Sease, T. B., Sandoz, E. K., Yoke, L., Swets, J. A., & Cox, C. R. (2024) · Behavioral Sciences · doi:10.3390/bs14060439 · Cited by 12 · see citing works
“Feelings of loneliness are a robust predictor of psychopathology [24–26] and have been positively correlated with social avoidance and withdrawal in young adults [27].”
Background
Reconsidering the role of interpersonal stress in eating pathology: Sensitivity to rejection might be more important than actual experiences of peer stress
Schell, S. E., & Racine, S. E. (2023) · Appetite · doi:10.1016/j.appet.2023.106588 · Cited by 9 · see citing works
Understanding the link between theory of mind and loneliness among primary school students: A cross-lagged panel model analysis
Yu, L., Li, L. M. W., & Tong, X. (2024) · Journal of Experimental Child Psychology · doi:10.1016/j.jecp.2024.105891 · Cited by 9 · see citing works
Social avoidance needs boost AI's nonsocial attribute valuation in secret consumption
Li, J., Zhao, J.-D., & Huang, J. (2025) · Technology and Society · doi:10.1016/j.techsoc.2025.102817 · Cited by 7 · see citing works
The role of parental rejection and poverty in the development of prosocial behavior among left-behind adolescents in rural China
He, L., Tan, C., Pung, P. W., Hu, J., Tang, H.-B., & Cheng, S. (2023) · Children and Youth Services Review · doi:10.1016/j.childyouth.2023.107143 · Cited by 9 · see citing works
Neurocomputational mechanisms of biased impression formation in lonely individuals
Bellucci, G., & Park, S. Q. (2023) · Communications Biology · doi:10.1038/s42003-023-05429-2 · Cited by 11 · see citing works
“However, other evidence has suggested that loneliness is associated with hypervigilance for negative social cues that likely leads to negatively biased evaluations of social interactions 8,13 , explaining social withdrawal and in ﬂ ated fear of social judgments in lonely adults 44 – 46 .”
A Longitudinal Study on the Effects of Negative Rearing Experiences on Adolescents' Social Withdrawal and Aggression
Lee, K.-S., Choi, O.-J., & Kim, J. (2017) · Korean Journal of Family Medicine · doi:10.4082/kjfm.2017.38.5.276 · Cited by 9 · see citing works
The Study on Compulsive Buying as Self-Defeating Behavior : Focused on Social Exclusion Factor
Han, W.-H. (2020) · doi:10.20498/eajbe.2020.8.2.57 · Cited by 9 · see citing works
Why rejection sensitivity leads to adolescents' loneliness: Differential exposure, reactivity, and exposure‐reactivity models
Lyu, M., Xiong, Y., Wang, H., Yang, L., Chen, J., & Ren, P. (2024) · Journal of Adolescence · doi:10.1002/jad.12405 · Cited by 10 · see citing works
Internalized Stigma Is a Predictor of Mental Health Secrecy and Loneliness in Young People With Clinical Depression Symptoms: A Longitudinal Study
Prizeman, K., McCabe, C., & Weinstein, N. (2025) · Journal of Clinical Psychology · doi:10.1002/jclp.23789 · Cited by 11 · see citing works
Reducing Stigma, Enhancing Psychological Well-Being and Identity in Multiple Sclerosis: A Narrative Review of Current Practices and Future Directions
Montesano, C., Liberali, G., Azzali, G., Buzzachera, C. F., Angilletta, S., Alessandria, M., Guidetti, L., & Giorgio, A. D. (2025) · Healthcare · doi:10.3390/healthcare13111291 · Cited by 8 · see citing works
“An accepting or enriching illness identity correlates with increased treatment adherence, psychological flexibility and social integration [70], while engulfment and rejection correlate with suffering, social withdrawal and identity diffusion [71,72].”

The Relationship between Rejection Sensitivity and Loneliness: Double Mediation Effects of Self-Acceptance and Self-Silencing
Jeong, A., & Kim, B. (2025) · Korean Journal of Stress Research · doi:10.17547/kjsr.2025.33.4.192
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Authors: WATSON, J., & NESDALE, D.
Affiliations: Griffith University (AU)
Corresponding author: NESDALE, DREW
Venue: Journal of Applied Social Psychology
Publisher: Wiley
Published: 2012-06-14
Volume: 42
Issue: 8
Pages: 1984-2005
ISSN: 0021-9029 (ISSN-L)
1559-1816
DOI: 10.1111/j.1559-1816.2012.00927.x
OpenAlex: W1627460310
Cited by: 218
References: 64
Citations by year: 2026: 22 · 2025: 33 · 2024: 25 · 2023: 29 · 2022: 22 · 2021: 17 · 2020: 16 · 2019: 7 · 2018: 11 · 2017: 12 · 2016: 8 · 2015: 5 · 2014: 7 · 2013: 4
FWCI: 7.70
Type: journal article
Language: en
Open access: closed
Licence: onlinelibrary.wiley.com/termsAndConditions#vor (vor)
Locations: Journal of Applied Social Psychology (publishedVersion)
Griffith Research Online (submittedVersion)
Topics: Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Death Anxiety and Social Exclusion
Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Bullying, Victimization, and Aggression
Social Sciences › Psychology › Experimental and Cognitive Psychology › Anxiety, Depression, Psychometrics, Treatment, Cognitive Processes
Keywords: rejection sensitivity, social withdrawal, loneliness, young adults, social avoidance, social distress, self-esteem, social self-efficacy, mediation, interpersonal rejection

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Rejection sensitivity, social withdrawal, and loneliness in young adults

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