TY - JOUR
T1 - Effects of rejection intensity and rejection sensitivity on social approach behavior in women
AU - Schaan, Violetta K.
AU - Schulz, André
AU - Bernstein, Michael
AU - Schächinger, Hartmut
AU - Vögele, Claus
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2020 Schaan et al.
PY - 2020/1/1
Y1 - 2020/1/1
N2 - Objective Perceived rejection plays an important role for mental health and social integration. This study investigated the impact of rejection intensity and rejection sensitivity on social approach behavior. Method 121 female participants were randomly assigned to one of three conditions differing in the degree of induced rejection (inclusion, medium rejection, severe rejection). Thereafter they were asked to interact with an unknown person during a touch-based cooperative task. Results Participants high in rejection sensitivity sought significantly less physical contact than participants low in rejection sensitivity. Individuals in the medium rejection condition touched their partners more often than those in the included condition, while no difference between included and severely rejected participants could be observed. Conclusions The results suggest that the intensity of rejection matters with regard to coping. While participants in the medium intensity rejection condition aimed to 'repair' their social self by seeking increased contact with others, severely rejected participants did not adapt their behavior compared to included participants. Implications for therapy are discussed.
AB - Objective Perceived rejection plays an important role for mental health and social integration. This study investigated the impact of rejection intensity and rejection sensitivity on social approach behavior. Method 121 female participants were randomly assigned to one of three conditions differing in the degree of induced rejection (inclusion, medium rejection, severe rejection). Thereafter they were asked to interact with an unknown person during a touch-based cooperative task. Results Participants high in rejection sensitivity sought significantly less physical contact than participants low in rejection sensitivity. Individuals in the medium rejection condition touched their partners more often than those in the included condition, while no difference between included and severely rejected participants could be observed. Conclusions The results suggest that the intensity of rejection matters with regard to coping. While participants in the medium intensity rejection condition aimed to 'repair' their social self by seeking increased contact with others, severely rejected participants did not adapt their behavior compared to included participants. Implications for therapy are discussed.
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U2 - 10.1371/journal.pone.0227799
DO - 10.1371/journal.pone.0227799
M3 - Article
C2 - 31951627
AN - SCOPUS:85077995817
SN - 1932-6203
VL - 15
JO - PloS one
JF - PloS one
IS - 1
M1 - e0227799
ER -