Changes in rejection sensitivity across adolescence and emerging adulthood: Associations with relationship involvement, quality, and coping. (February 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Norona, Jerika C.; Tregubenko, Valerya; Boiangiu, Shira Bezalel; Levy, Gil; Scharf, Miri; Welsh, Deborah P.; Shulman, Shmuel
• Is Part Of: Journal of adolescence. Volume 63(2018)
• Page Start: 96
• Page End: 106
• Publication Date: 2018-02
• Subjects: Rejection sensitivity -- Romantic relationships -- Transition to adulthood -- Adolescence; Adolescent psychiatry -- Periodicals; Adolescent psychology -- Periodicals; Adolescence -- Periodicals; Electronic journals; 305.23505
• DOI: 10.1016/j.adolescence.2017.12.006
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0140-1971

Abstract

Abstract: Using a sample of 110 Israeli youth (72% female), the present study investigates associations between initial levels of rejection sensitivity as well as changes in rejection sensitivity from age 16 to age 23 and relationship involvement, quality, and (growth following) coping with relationship stress. Results showed that rejection sensitivity generally decreased over time into the transition to adulthood. Furthermore, levels of rejection sensitivity at age 16 predicted whether young people were romantically involved by age 23, as well as the quality of their relationships. Yet, the change in level of rejection sensitivity over time explained far more the quality of later romantic relationships and competence in coping with relationship stress than the initial level of rejection sensitivity. These findings have important implications for examining the role of changes in personality attributes such as rejection sensitivity in the transition from adolescence to adulthood.