An interpersonal circumplex/five-factor analysis of the Rejection Sensitivity Questionnaire

Abstract

Rejection sensitive persons expect others to reject them, readily interpret ambiguous interpersonal cues as rejection, and overreact to rejection, real or imagined ( Downey & Feldman, 1996). Rejection sensitivity—as assessed by the Rejection Sensitivity Questionnaire (RSQ)—is psychologically distressing and predicts relationship problems, but questions remain about the measurement properties of the RSQ. For this study, the interpersonal circumplex and five-factor models provided the framework for a comprehensive mapping of rejection sensitivity in the personality domain. College students completed the RSQ, the Interpersonal Adjective Scales Revised-Big Five ( Trapnell & Wiggins, 1990), and measures of theoretically relevant constructs. The RSQ had significant interpersonal content, as expected, its angular placement was between IASR-B5 octant scales HI (Unassured-Submissive) and FG (Aloof-Introverted), and it was correlated significantly with Neuroticism. It appears, then, that rejection sensitive persons, as identified by the RSQ, are more likely to avoid rejection by distancing themselves from others, rather than by seeking intimate relationships. The RSQ has adequate psychometric properties, but valid tests of rejection sensitivity as a variable linking early attachment problems to later rejection-avoidance strategies require the inclusion of additional measures.