The Temporal Precedence of Peer Rejection, Rejection Sensitivity, Depression, and Aggression Across Adolescence
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ORIGINAL ARTICLE
The Temporal Precedence of Peer Rejection, Rejection Sensitivity, Depression, and Aggression Across Adolescence Christina M. L. Beeson1 · Heather Brittain1 · Tracy Vaillancourt1,2 Received: 5 November 2019 / Revised: 5 May 2020 / Accepted: 14 May 2020 © Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature 2020
Abstract We examined the temporal precedence between perceived peer rejection, rejection sensitivity, depression, and aggression in a sample of 544 adolescents (55.7% girls; Mage = 14.96 years at the first measured time point) assessed yearly from Grade 9 to Grade 12. Using developmental cascade modelling to analyze the data, our study supported the symptoms-driven and social process models, in that perceived rejection was preceded by either depression or aggression at different times across adolescence. Similarly, rejection sensitivity was also preceded by depression and/or aggression. Although depression initiated the cascade leading to rejection sensitivity, our model also supported a bidirectional relation across late adolescence as rejection sensitivity also predicted future depression. Overall, our findings provide support that internalizing and externalizing problems lead to interpersonal difficulties with peers, such as perceived rejection and demonstrate the unique role of rejection sensitivity with regard to depression and aggression independent from perceived peer rejection. Keywords Rejection · Rejection sensitivity · Depression · Aggression · Cascade models The need to belong is universal to all humans, found in all cultures around the world and among all ages of development [1]. Beginning early in childhood, children seek out social interactions with others to form groups and friendships to fulfill this fundamental need. This behaviour increases as children approach middle childhood and early adolescence, when peers increase in importance during social development [2]. Belonging to a group is psychologically protective [1] and solidifies an individual’s social identity [3]. When the need for inclusion is not met, and children feel like they are outright rejected by their peers, negative outcomes can ensue, such as hostility, social withdrawal, solitude, and depression in some children [4], or aggression in other children [5]. There is also evidence suggesting that peer rejection can be a consequence rather than a cause of internalizing and externalizing problems [e.g., 6, 7].
* Tracy Vaillancourt [email protected] 1
School of Psychology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
Counselling Psychology, Faculty of Education, University of Ottawa, 145 Jean‑Jacques‑Lussier, Ottawa, ON K1N 6N5, Canada
2
Peer Rejection Peer rejection is a painful experience which occurs when an individual is actively disliked by his or her peers [8]. Peer rejection may also refer to individuals who are excluded, banished, or not accepted into a social group [9]. Those who are rejected by their peers tend to continue to experience rejection over time [6, 10]. Altho
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