Social antecedents and consequences of interpersonal rejection sensitivity

Although there is good evidence linking interpersonal rejection sensitivity to mood and anxiety disorders, less attention has been given to the social context in which it develops. This study is an investigation of the interpersonal antecedents and consequences of rejection sensitivity. A sample of 104 college students was given the Interpersonal Sensitivity Measure (IPSM), the Teasing Questionnaire-Revised (TQ-R), the Interpersonal Competence Questionnaire (ICQ), and retrospective measures of childhood peer acceptance and social support. The results indicate that interpersonal sensitivity is associated with teasing during childhood, but not acceptance and social support. The IPSM was also related to interpersonal competence during adulthood.