Recalled childhood teasing in relation to adult rejection and evaluation sensitivity

Abstract

Individuals who experience teasing often report feelings of social rejection, loneliness, and social anxiety. The present study aimed to investigate the relationship of childhood teasing to adult reports of interpersonal rejection sensitivity, fear of negative evaluation, and loneliness. The meditational role of interpersonal rejection sensitivity and fear of negative evaluation were examined in the relationship between recalled childhood teasing and adult loneliness. Analyses showed that rejection sensitivity and fear of negative evaluation were positively correlated with total teasing and correlated specifically to teasing related to appearance. Mediation analyses found that teasing, rejection sensitivity, and fear of negative evaluation were significant predictors of adult loneliness, with both interpersonal rejection sensitivity and fear of negative evaluation partially mediating the relationship between teasing and loneliness.