Corresponding Author Information: Kelsey Mara Priebe

Session Abstract: Perceived Rejection In Personality Psychopathology: The Role of Attachment & Gender. Kelsey Priebe, B.A., Emily Sorem, B.A., & Jaime L. Anderson, Ph.D. BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Gender and adult attachment pattern may influence the development and course of personality disorders (PDs; Chiesa et al., 2017; Gawda & Czubak, 2017; Scott et al., 2017). These factors may impact reactions to stressful events, such as interpersonal rejection (Meyer et al., 2005). This study investigated the role of attachment and gender in moderating associations between personality traits and responses to rejection. METHODS: Participants included 433 university and community individuals (Mage=28.6) who primarily identified as female (74.6%) and white (58.4%). Participants completed the Personality Inventory for DSM-5-Short Form (PID-5-SF), Experiences in Close Relationships Scale (ECR), and responded to brief questionnaires after watching three video clips of parental, peer, and romantic rejection. RESULTS: A one-way MANOVA indicated significant differences between the four attachment groups among the PID-5-SF trait domains ( p<.001; Wilks' Λ=.466; partial η2=.225), where fearful-avoidant and preoccupied groups showed higher scores than the secure group on Negative Affectivity, Detachment, Disinhibition, and Psychoticism. The preoccupied group showed higher scores on Antagonism, whereas the dismissive group exhibited higher scores on Detachment and Psychoticism. Pearson correlations demonstrated associations between the five trait domains and reactions to perceived rejection (r’s=.14 [Antagonism & overall internalizing] --.53 [Negative Affectivity & overall internalizing]). Multiple significant moderation effects were identified. In the case of Negative Affectivity, preoccupied attachment enhanced externalizing reactions to rejection (β=-.56, p=.002). In the case of Psychoticism, fearful-avoidant attachment enhanced internalizing reactions to rejection (β=.40, p=.05). In the case of Antagonism, Psychoticism, and Disinhibition, men were more prone to both externalizing (Antagonism, β=-.58, p=.0005; Psychoticism, β=-.26, p=.004; Disinhibition, β=-.30, p=.05) and internalizing reactions (Antagonism, β=-.58, p=.002; Disinhibition, β=-.30, p=.05; Psychoticism, β=-.34, p=.04) to rejection. CONCLUSIONS: Results support that men and individuals with insecure attachment are more likely to experience pronounced adverse reactions to interpersonal rejection when personality psychopathology is present.

Presenters:

Kelsey Mara Priebe, MA | Sam Houston State University, Huntsville, TX

Emily Sorem | Sam Houston State University, Huntsville, TX

Jaime Anderson | Sam Houston State University, Huntsville, TX

Leave a Reply