An Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis of Coping in Rejection Sensitivity

Abstract

One of the most intense needs in human beings is the need to be accepted by others. This need is severely thwarted among individuals high in rejection sensitivity. Rejection Sensitivity is the disposition to avidly anticipate, recognize and over-react to perceived rejection by others. Quantitative research and experimental observations have long supported a link between self-regulation as a coping mechanism and rejection sensitivity. However less is known about the process of how this comes about and little qualitative research has been conducted in the area. The current study aimed to gain an in depth understanding of the expression of self in countering Rejection Sensitivity. The study focused on the use of Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) in order to find super ordinate themes from the account of four women, subjected to a semi-structured interview schedule. Through purposive sampling, the subjects were selected on the basis of being high in rejection sensitivity, having administered the Rejection Sensitivity Questionnaire (Downey & Feldman, 1996) on a sample of twenty-four women. Content Analysis of the transcripts of the interview saw the emergence of 4 major themes. These themes were then interpreted in light of Bandura's Self-efficacy theory. The results suggest-1) personal self-efficacy beliefs have significant implications on psychosocial outcomes in interpersonal situations 2) positive dynamics of self-efficacy emerge as an antecedent to the individual's adjustments in interpersonal relationships following secondary change 3) self-control, an important requisite in countering rejection in RS is founded on self-efficacy. The present findings suggest that the implication of self-efficacy on commitment and confidence work together to increase our persistence in the face of rejection and increase health behaviour by perceiving cues that counter self-fulfilling maladaptive responses to perceived rejection.