When rejection stings
How self-esteem constrains relationship-enhancement processes
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 6206466 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Sandra L Murray (0000-0002-4506-9285), Susan Murray (0000-0003-4387-7673, University at Buffalo, State University of New York), Paul Rose (0000-0002-5375-8267, University at Buffalo, State University of New York), Gina M Bellavia (0000-0002-1002-4175, University at Buffalo, State University of New York), John G Holmes (University of Waterloo), Anna Garrett Kusche (University at Buffalo, State University of New York) |
| Year | 2002 |
| Volume | 83 |
| Issue | 3 |
| Pages | 556-573 |
| Publication date | 2002-01-01 |
| Peer Reviewed | Yes |
| Open Access | No |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | Journal of Personality and Social Psychology (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 0022-3514 • E-ISSN: 1939-1315 |
| Publisher | American Psychological Association (APA) (PUBLISHER) |
| DOI | 10.1037//0022-3514.83.3.556 |
| PMID | 12219854 |
| OpenAlex | W2027982065 |
| Language | EN |
| Citations received | 248 |
| References cited | 62 |
Three experiments examined how needs for acceptance might constrain low versus high self-esteem people's capacity to protect their relationships in the face of difficulties. The authors led participants to believe that their partner perceived a problem in their relationship. They then measured perceptions of the partner's acceptance, partner enhancement, and closeness. Low but not high self-esteem participants read too much into problems, seeing them as a sign that their partner's affections and commitment might be waning. They then derogated their partner and reduced closeness. Being less sensitive to rejection, however, high self-esteem participants affirmed their partner in the face of threat. Ironically, chronic needs for acceptance may result in low self-esteem people seeing signs of rejection where none exist, needlessly weakening attachments.
Closeness · Developmental psychology · Face (sociological concept) · Perception · Self-enhancement · Self-esteem · Sign (mathematics) · Attachment and Relationship Dynamics · Death Anxiety and Social Exclusion · Psychology · Religion, Spirituality, and Psychology · Social Psychology
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Implications of rejection sensitivity for intimate relationships
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Conflict in close relationships
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Marital satisfaction, depression, and attributions
Willingness to sacrifice in close relationships
Self-esteem and the quest for felt security
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| Unique citing works | 155 |
|---|---|
| Citations per year | 10,78 |
| Citation span | 2003 - 2026 (24) |
| Citation velocity | current |
| Highly cited | Yes |
| Citation types | Neutral: 127 |