Need to Belong, Not Rejection Sensitivity, Moderates Cortisol Response, Self-Reported Stress, and Negative Affect Following Social Exclusion. Issue 2 (3rd March 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Beekman, Janine B.; Stock, Michelle L.; Marcus, Tara
• Is Part Of: Journal of social psychology. Volume 156:Issue 2(2016)
• Page Start: 131
• Page End: 138
• Publication Date: 2016-03-03
• Subjects: cortisol -- Cyberball -- individual differences -- need to belong -- rejection sensitivity -- social exclusion; Social psychology -- Periodicals; Psychology, Social -- Periodicals; Psychologie sociale -- Périodiques; Sociale psychologie; Electronic journals; 302.05
• DOI: 10.1080/00224545.2015.1071767
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0022-4545

Abstract

ABSTRACT: The present study examined if the traits need to belong (NTB) and rejection sensitivity (RS) differentially moderate the impact of experimentally manipulated social exclusion on stress and affect. Participants ( N = 132) completed a survey measuring NTB and RS, and then were randomly assigned to be included or excluded during a game of Cyberball. A second survey then assessed perceived stress and negative affect, and a cortisol sample was taken. Controlling for gender and baseline cortisol levels, excluded participants high (vs. low) in NTB had significantly higher postexclusion cortisol levels, and reported greater perceived stress and negative affect. The moderating effect for RS was not found, however, and NTB and RS were not correlated. Findings suggest that the NTB moderates psychological and physiological responses to exclusion.