The aim of the present study was to examine the influence of attachment anxiety on ambivalence over emotional expressiveness in romantic relationship, and to investigate the mediating role of rejection sensitivity. In study Ⅰ, Adult-Rejection Sensit...
The aim of the present study was to examine the influence of attachment anxiety on ambivalence over emotional expressiveness in romantic relationship, and to investigate the mediating role of rejection sensitivity. In study Ⅰ, Adult-Rejection Sensitivity Questionnaire (A-RSQ), which was developed and validated by Downey, Berenson and Kang(2006) was translated into Korean and was validated using 180 unmarried young adults (N=180). Result of explanatory factor analysis showed the 1-factor construct, which was the same as the original version. The results of reliability analyses indicated adequate internal consistency and test-retest reliability. The Korean version of the A-RSQ also was found to have adequate convergent validity with the Korean version of Rejection Sensitivity Questionnaire (K-RSQ).
In Study Ⅱ, the relationship among attachment anxiety, rejection sensitivity, and ambivalence over emotional expressiveness in romantic relationship was explored. Results from self-report questionnaires based on a sample of 365 unmarried young adults (N=365) with reported romantic relationship experiences were analyzed using the SPSS 19.0 and the Mplus 4.21. Findings indicated that attachment anxiety has a significant positive influence on rejection sensitivity and ambivalence over emotional expressiveness in romantic relationships, and rejection sensitivity has a significant positive influence on ambivalence over emotional expressiveness in romantic relationships. Results from the structural equation modeling indicated that the effect of attachment anxiety on ambivalence over emotional expressiveness in romantic relationships was partially mediated by rejection sensitivity.
Current findings add to the extent literature regarding emotional expressiveness of attachment anxiety by investigating the role of rejection sensitivity. Implications of current findings regarding intervention strategies to improve emotional regulation for clients with attachment anxiety having difficulty expressing their emotion in romantic relationship are discussed. Limitations of the present study as well as suggestions for future study are also included.