HOW "I" AFFECTS "US": EXAMINING PERSONAL DISPOSITIONS, REJECTION SENSITIVITY, AND COMMITMENT IN CLOSE FRIENDSHIPS

Abstract

Although various interpersonal research has been conducted from attachment theory, self-esteem (SE), and rejection sensitivity (RS), there is an inconsistency of literature construing the underlying mechanisms and pathway between these variables in close friendships. This study examines the associations of SE, attachment, and RS on close friendship commitment based on the Investment Model. A sample of 117 Singaporean adult participants completed an online questionnaire measuring their SE, attachment dimensions (attachment anxiety and avoidance), RS, as well as their close friendship outcomes such as satisfaction level (SL), quality of alternatives (QoA), investment size (IS), and commitment level (CL). The findings showed that contingent SE (CSE) predicts attachment anxiety, RS, and IS above and beyond general SE. RS was found to be positively associated with CSE and the attachment dimensions, while CSE was positively associated with attachment anxiety. Path analyses also showed that IS completely mediated the pathway from attachment anxiety to CL, while IS and SL partially mediated the pathway from attachment avoidance to CL. This study has contributed to the existing literature by integrating SE, CSE, attachment, and RS onto interpersonal outcomes in close friendships. This study has also provided further insights beneficial in psychological interventions for attachment-related problems.