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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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“…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…”
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Rejection sensitivity and mental well‐being : The positive role of friendship quality
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“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
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“For example, the more people worry about being rejected during their social interactions, the lonelier they feel (Watson & Nesdale, 2012).”
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Interpersonal Sensitivity in the Period of Self-Isolation and Its Role in the Choice of Social Distancing Measures
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“…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, &…”
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“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].”
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“Rejection sensitivity is a key factor in loneliness [16, 17], and is related to social isolation, difficult relationships, and negative affect [18].”
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“Individuals who expect to be rejected by their social environment are more likely to engage in social withdrawal (47).”
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“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…”
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“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).”
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Interpersonal sensitivity and social avoidance and distress in female college students: Mediating role of self-inconsistency and moderating role of self-consciousness
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“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) .”
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Day, N. E., & Porter, T. H. (2017) · Journal of Leadership & Organizational Studies · doi:10.1177/1548051817709008 · Cited by 12
“…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…”
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“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].”
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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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