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City Research Online City, University of London Institutional Repository Citation: Drury, J.L. (2010). Why do rejection sensitive individuals fear rejection? An interpretative phenomenological analysis. (Unpublished Doctoral thesis, City University London) This is the accepted version of the paper. This version of the publication may differ from the final published version. Permanent repository link: https://openaccess.city.ac.uk/id/eprint/8708/ Link to published version: Copyright: City Research Online aims to make research outputs of City, University of London available to a wider audience. Copyright and Moral Rights remain with the author(s) and/or copyright holders. URLs from City Research Online may be freely distributed and linked to. Reuse: Copies of full items can be used for personal research or study, educational, or not-for-profit purposes without prior permission or charge. Provided that the authors, title and full bibliographic details are credited, a hyperlink and/or URL is given for the original metadata page and the content is not changed in any way. City Research Online: http://openaccess.city.ac.uk/ [email protected] Why do rejection sensitive individuals fear rejection ? An interpretative phenomenological analysis Joanne Louise Drury DPsych Portfolio City University, London Department of Psychology September2010 Table of Contents List Appendices VII of ................................................................................ List Tables VIII of ..................................................................................... Acknowledgements IX ................................................................................ Declaration Powers Discretion X of of ............................................................. SectionA: Introduction Portfolio 1 to the .......................................................... 1. Overview 1 ................................................................................. 2. Research 2 ..................................................................................... 3. ProfessionalPractice :.................................................................. 3 3.1. Client Study 3 ................................................................. 3.2. ProcessRenort 4 .............................................................. 4. Critical Literature Review 4 ............................................................ 5. PersonalStatement 5 ..................................................................... References 5 ................................................................................. SectionB: Research 9 ................................................................................ Why do rejection sensitive individuals fear rejection? An interpretative phenomenological analysis Abstract 9 .................................................................................... Chapter 1: Introduction Literature Review 10 and ..................................... 1.1 Introduction 10 ................................................................ 1.2 Literature Review 11 ........................................................... 1.2.1. Rejection Sensitivity Model 11 .................................. 1.2.2. Classical Personality 12 InterpersonalTheories of ......... 1.2.3. Attachment Theory 12 .......................................... 1.2.4. Reflective Function 16 .......................................... 1.2.5. Development of the Rejection Sensitivity Model 16 ......................................................... 1.2 6 Response PerceivedRejection 18 . to ........ .................. 1.2.7. Rejection Prevention 19 .............. .. .................... 1 2 8 Abandonment 20 . ............................... ................. 1 2 9 Annihilation Anxiety 21 . ...................... ................... 1.2.10.Trauma 25 ....................................................... 1.2.11.Fear Anxiety 25 and ............................................. 1.2.12.Rationale for Current Study 26 the ............................ II 1.2.13.Research Aim 29 ................................................... Chapter 2: Methodology 29 ................................................................. 2.1. Sampling Participants 29 and ................................................. 2.2. Procedure 31 .................................................................... 2.3. Ethical Considerations 33 ..................................................... 2.4. Analytic Strategy 34 ........................................................... 2.5. Reflexive Statement 42 ...................................................... Chapter 3: Analysis 44 ........................................................................ 3.1. Introduction Super-ordinateThemes 44 to ................................ 3.2. Experiences Parenting 46 of ................................................... 3.2.1. Warmth Indifference 46 versus ................................... 3.2.1.1.Rebuff 46 .............................................. 3.2.1.2. Attention 49 ........................................... 3.2.1.3. PaternalInvolvement 50 .............................. 3.2.1.5.Parental Illness 53 .................................... 3.2.1.6. Closeness 55 ........................................... 3 2 2 Harsh 57 . .......................................... .... .............. 3.2.2.1. Inconsistent 57 .......................................... 3.2.2.2. Threatening 60 ......................................... 3.2.2.3. Criticising 61 ............................................ 3.2.3. Summary of Findings: Experiencesof Parenting..........62 3.3 Impact Rejection 63 of ....................................................... 3.3.1. Degree Rejection 63 of ............................................ 3.3.2. Emotion 65 ........................................................ 3.3.2.1. Sadness 66 ............................................ 3.3.2.2. Anger 67 ............................................... 3.3.3.Perception 69 ..................................................... 3.3.3.1.Abandonment 69 ..................................... 3.3.3.2.Excluded 71 ............................................. 3.3.3.3. PersonalCriticism 72 ................................ 3.3.3.4.Flawed Self 73 ........................................ 3.3.3.4.1.Not Good Enough 73 .................... 3.3.3.4.2. Something Wrong with Self........ 75 3.3.3.4.3. Doing it Wrong 76 ...................... 3.3.3.4.4. Self-Blame 78 ............................ 3.3.4. Feeling 79 ......................................................... 3.3.4.1. Shame 79 ............................................. III 3.3.4.2. Emptiness 81 ........................................... 3.3.4.3. Lowered Self-esteem 83 .............................. 3.3.4.4. Sensitivity 85 Increased ................................... 3.3.5. Reaction 86 ......................................................... 3.3.5.1. Hurt Other 86 ......................................... 3.3.5.2. Overreaction 88 .......................................... 3.3.5.3. Irrational 90 ........................................... 3.3.6. Partner Choice 91 .................................................... 3.3.6.1. Inappropriate Partners 91 ........................... 3.3.6.2. SeekFamiliarity 93 .................................. Rejection 95 3.3.7. Summary of Findings: Impact of ............... 3.4. Coping Concept Rejection 95 with the of ................................. 3.4.1. Appraisal Focused Coping 96 .................................. 3.4.1.1. Avoid Asking Others Out 96 ....................... 3.4.1.2. Safe Situation 98 ..................................... 3.4.1.3. Conforming Self 99 ..................................... 3.4.2. Problem FocusedCoping 102 .................................. 3.4.2.1. Rationalisation 102 ................................... 3.4.2.2.Self-Awareness 104 .................................... 3.4.2.3. Therapy 105 .......................................... 3.4.3.Change 107 ....................................................... 3.4.3.1.Positive Change 107 ................................. 3.4.3.2. Struggle Change 108 to ............................. 3.4.4. Summary of Findings: Coping with the Concept Rejection 109 of ................................................. 3.5. Identity 109 ..................................................................... 3.5.1.Attitude Self 109 toward ....................................... 3.5.1.1.Negative Attitude 109 ................................ 3.5.1.2.Positive Attitude 112 .................................. 3.5.2. Expect Rejection 113 .......................................... 3.5.2.1. CreateRejection 114 ................................. 3.5.3. Traits 116 ...................................................... 3.5.3.1.Distrust 116 ........................................... 3.5.3.2. Emotional Sensitivity 118 ............................ 3.5.4. Origin Rejection Sensitivity 119 of .............................. 3.5.4.1. RetrospectiveAssumption 123 ..................... 3.5.5. Summary Findings: Identity 125 of ............................ IV Chapter 4: Discussion 125 ................................................................... 4.1. Introduction 125 ............................................................... 4.2. FundamentalFindings 125 ...................................................... 4.2.1. Rejection Sensitivity versusAbandonment Anxiety.... 126 4.2.1.1. Origins of Rejection Sensitivity and Anxiety