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The Interaction of Rejection Sensitivity and Effortful Control in the Prediction of Interpersonal Dysfunction

Chriki, Lyvia S.
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1329508942

Abstract Details

2012, Master of Arts, Ohio State University, Psychology.
Social isolation and exclusion can be detrimental to the individual both psychologically and physically, and it is natural that human beings fear rejection. Rejection Sensitivity (RS) has been conceptualized as the extent to which individuals anxiously expect to be rejected by others in important relationships. High RS has been found to correlate with the presence of interpersonal difficulties. High-RS individuals are likely to perceive rejection in ambiguous behaviors of others and become reactive in response, leading to unstable relationships. Effortful Control (EC), which includes Attentional, Inhibitory, and Activation Control, represents the capacity to override one’s automatic tendencies and substitute an adaptive alternative response (Rothbart, 2007). Studies have found that high self-regulatory capacities, such as EC may be protective against the development of psychopathology and interpersonal problems in the case of individuals with high RS. For example, in a cross-sectional study, Ayduk and colleagues (2008) found that RS correlated with BPD symptoms most strongly at low levels of Attentional Control. The aims of the current study were to replicate and extend these findings in several ways. First, the current study was a prospective one assessing whether EC moderates the relationship between RS and change in BPD symptoms over time. Second, the current study investigated whether the interaction of RS by EC predicted specific iii facets of BPD and explored the role of self-reported social support in the relationship between RS and BPD features. Furthermore, a measure of the broader construct of EC was included when assessing self-regulation, evaluating the three facets of EC—Attentional, Activation and Inhibitory Control. Finally, the study investigated whether the RS by EC interaction was predictive of social anxiety and loneliness. A sample of 298 individuals in Psychology 100 at The Ohio State University completed online questionnaires during three time points over the course of 8 weeks assessing RS, EC, BPD symptoms, social support, social anxiety, and loneliness. Linear regression analyses were carried out. The present study successfully replicated the findings by Ayduk et al (2008), although prospectively, the interaction between RS and Attentional Control did not predict a change in BPD symptoms. RS did show a main effect and predicted change in BPD symptoms, and this relationship was mediated by self-reported social support. Of the facets of BPD, impulsivity was the only facet that was significantly accounted for by the RS by EC interaction. Additionally, of the facets of EC only Inhibitory and Attentional Control interacted with RS to account for BPD symptoms. Lastly, the interaction of RS and EC did not predict symptoms of social anxiety or loneliness in this study, but RS and EC both showed main effects in predicting increases in loneliness over time, effects that were mediated by self-reported social support. Psychological interventions might benefit from identifying individuals with high RS and teaching them self-regulatory skills, as well as helping them learn to perceive social support where it is present, appreciate it, and utilize it.
Michael Vasey, PhD (Advisor)
Julian Thayer, PhD (Committee Member)
Steven Beck, PhD (Committee Member)
88 p.
Psychology
Rejection Sensitivity; Effortful Control; Attentional Control; Borderline Personality; Impulsivity

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Chriki, L. S. (2012). The Interaction of Rejection Sensitivity and Effortful Control in the Prediction of Interpersonal Dysfunction [Master's thesis, Ohio State University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1329508942

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Chriki, Lyvia. The Interaction of Rejection Sensitivity and Effortful Control in the Prediction of Interpersonal Dysfunction. 2012. Ohio State University, Master's thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1329508942.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Chriki, Lyvia. "The Interaction of Rejection Sensitivity and Effortful Control in the Prediction of Interpersonal Dysfunction." Master's thesis, Ohio State University, 2012. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1329508942

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

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This open access ETD is published by The Ohio State University and OhioLINK.