Dispositional mindfulness, rejection sensitivity, and behavioural responses to rejection: The role of emotion regulation

Abstract

Objective Recent evidence suggests that individuals higher in dispositional mindfulness display less rejection sensitivity. However, less is known about the potential influence of dispositional mindfulness on behavioural responses to implied rejection, and the mechanisms underlying these associations. The present research was designed to address these questions. Method In a community sample of 219 young adults, we examined whether low dispositional mindfulness was associated with higher rejection sensitivity and maladaptive responses to implied rejection (retribution and withdrawal), and whether emotion regulation mediated these associations. Participants completed an online questionnaire battery assessing dispositional mindfulness, emotion regulation, rejection sensitivity, and behavioural responses to implied rejection. Results Results revealed that dispositional mindfulness was indirectly associated, through emotion regulation, with lower rejection sensitivity and less withdrawal following rejection. Mindfulness was also associated with less retribution following perceived rejection, although this association was not mediated by emotion regulation. Conclusions These results suggest that dispositional mindfulness may be protective against rejection sensitivity and maladaptive behavioural responses following rejection, and that capacity for regulating emotions may be implicated in the association between mindfulness and less rejection sensitivity and withdrawal following rejection.

Keywords

• emotion regulation
• mindfulness
• rejection sensitivity
• retribution
• withdrawal