The Effect of Rejection Sensitivity on Fear of Intimacy in Emerging Adulthood

Abstract

Abstract. Background: This research examined fear of intimacy during emerging adulthood. We attempted to determine whether rejection sensitivity has any effect on fear of intimacy through the mediational effect of interpersonal anxiety. We also assumed that remembered parental acceptance can have a buffering effect on the above relationships. Methods: The sample was composed of 679 (280 male and 399 female) university students. Data collection was accomplished through the use of self-report questionnaires, which measured rejection sensitivity, fear of intimacy, interpersonal anxiety, and remembered parental acceptance. Analyses of mediation and moderation effects variables were conducted through the use of the PROCESS statistical software. Results: Analysis showed that there is a partial meditational effect of interpersonal anxiety on the relationship of rejection sensitivity to fear of intimacy. Further, remembered maternal acceptance had a protective effect on the development of fear of intimacy in young women who are sensitive to rejection and have high interpersonal anxiety. Discussion: Rejection sensitivity seems to have an effect on the development of fear of intimacy through increasing interpersonal anxiety, especially in females. These relationships seem to be moderated by maternal acceptance. Conclusion: Student counselling would be beneficial to help students in this transitional period become aware of anxious interpersonal patterns and regulate their reactivity when facing perceived rejection cues in their interpersonal relationships.