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. 2009 Nov;35(11):1467-78.
doi: 10.1177/0146167209343969. Epub 2009 Aug 27.

Rejection sensitivity moderates the impact of rejection on self-concept clarity

Ozlem Ayduk  1 , Anett Gyurak, Anna Luerssen
Affiliations

Rejection sensitivity moderates the impact of rejection on self-concept clarity

Ozlem Ayduk et al. Pers Soc Psychol Bull. 2009 Nov.

Abstract

Self-concept clarity (SCC) refers to the extent to which self-knowledge is clearly and confidently defined, internally consistent, and temporally stable. Research shows that SCC can be undermined by failures in valued goal domains. Because preventing rejection is an important self-relevant goal for people high in rejection sensitivity (RS), it is hypothesized here that failures to attain this goal would cause them to experience diminished SCC. Study 1, an experimental study, showed that high-RS people's SCC was undermined following rejection but not following an aversive experience unrelated to rejection. Study 2, a daily diary study of couples in relationships, used occurrence of partner conflicts to operationalize rejection. Replicating the findings in Study 1, having a conflict on any given diary day predicted a greater reduction in the SCC of high- compared to low-RS people on the following day. The implications for understanding the conditions under which rejection negatively affects the self-concept are discussed.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Self-concept clarity as a function of rejection sensitivity (RS) and experimental manipulation. NOTE: Higher numbers indicate more self-concept clarity. Predicted values were based on the following parameter estimates: SCC=3.42−.058(BDI)−.009(RS)−.962(experimental condition)−.0922(RS×Experimental Condition), where SCC = self-concept clarity; BDI = Beck Depression Inventory.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Self-concept clarity as a function of rejection sensitivity (RS) and previous day’s conflict. NOTE: Higher numbers indicate more self-concept clarity. Predicted values were based on the following parameter estimates: SCC=2.50+.15(previous day’s SCC)−.37(same-day depressive mood)−.003(BDI)−.043(RS)−.001(previous day’s conflict)−.043(RS×Previous Day’s Conflict), where SCC = self-concept clarity; BDI = Beck Depression Inventory.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

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