(PS7-74) Emotion Regulation and Identity Disturbance: What Makes Us Sensitive to Rejection?

Background

Interpersonal relationships are fundamental to the human experience, with social rejection posing a significant threat by undermining this essential need. Individuals have varying degrees of sensitivity towards potential social rejection where they may expect, readily perceive, and have a stronger reaction to rejection. Rejection sensitivity is commonly associated with emotion dysregulation, which, in turn, is closely linked to identity disturbance within the context of borderline personality disorder (BPD). Given the lack of previous research on the interaction of these topics, this study seeks to explore the moderating role of identity disturbance on the well-established connection between emotion regulation and rejection sensitivity.  

Methods

A sample of 142 adult participants were recruited for a study examining state shame, BPD, and theory of mind functioning. Participants completed measures of rejection sensitivity using the Rejection Sensitivity Questionnaire (RSQ), emotion regulation using the Difficulty in Emotion Regulation Scale (DERS), and identity disturbance using the Borderline Identity Disturbance Scale-9 (BID9).

Results

Moderation analyses found a positive relation between specific DERS subscales (difficulties setting goals; impulse control; and lack of emotional clarity) and rejection sensitivity, but only among participants who reported low-mid level identity disturbance. Thus, the relation between these facets of emotion regulation and rejection sensitivity is strongest among those with lower identity disturbance, which indicates that emotion regulation may not serve as a strong predictor of rejection sensitivity for those with higher levels of identity disturbance.

Discussion

These results have important findings for informing intervention. At certain levels of identity disturbance, emotion regulation is not a strong predictor of rejection sensitivity. This may indicate that those with higher levels of identity disturbance should be treated for this symptom with higher priority than emotion dysregulation, particularly goal setting, impulsivity, and lack of emotional clarity.