Romantic experiences and depressive symptoms: Testing the intensifying roles of rejection sensitivity and relationship commitment

Longitudinal associations between couple relationship satisfaction and dissolution, rejection sensitivity, and depression were investigated using structural equation modeling. Rejection sensitivity and relationship commitment were expected to exacerbate or attenuate some model paths. Participants were aged 17 to 21 (N = 179) in couple relationships. Relationship dissolution was less likely among those who were more satisfied and had lengthier relationships. A greater chance of dissolution was also associated with rejection sensitivity among those high in commitment but not among those who were low in commitment. With regards to predicting depression, rejection sensitivity, but not relationship factors, was directly associated with later depressive symptoms. When the current findings were integrated with previous research, it appears that negative relational thoughts and behaviours of high-rejection-sensitive persons were more likely to be activated and associated with mental health problems when personal relationship satisfaction or commitment was elevated. The formation, maintenance and dissolution of close relationships can result in negative affect, sleeplessness and many other symptoms of depression (Monroe, Rohde, Seeley, & Lewinsohn, 1999; Welsh, Grello, & Harper, 2003; Zimmer-Gembeck, Seibenbruner, & Collins, 2001; Zimmer-Gembeck & Gallaty, 2006). A first episode of clinical depression often occurs between 13 and 19 years of age and depression often becomes chronic or recurs during the emerging adulthood years (Lewinsohn, Clarke, Seeley, & Rohde, 1994). In the current study of late adolescents and emerging adults between 17 and 21 years of age (labeled ‘late adolescents’ for brevity), couple dissolution and relationship satisfaction were examined as correlates of depressive symptoms over time. Additionally, the roles of participants’ sensitivity to rejection and commitment to the relationship were investigated. Couple Relationships, Depression, and Individual Vulnerability to Rejection Interpersonal rejection, particularly romantic rejection, is one of the most potent and distressing events humans can experience. Yet, individuals differ in how much they expect rejection and their anxiety about rejection (Feldman & Downey, 1994). The term rejection sensitivity has been used to describe “individuals who anxiously or angrily expect, readily perceive, and react intensely to rejection” (Feldman & Downey, p. 233). High-rejection-sensitive persons perceive ambiguous partner behaviour as more uncaring, are more hypervigilant for rejection, report lower relationship satisfaction and have shorter romantic relationships, and become more depressed when rejected (see Mort, 2006 for a review). In addition, there is evidence that high-rejection-sensitive persons generate their own stress by prompting negative interpersonal experiences and more rejection via their unpleasant behaviours. These emotions and behaviours can erode relationships and ultimately lead to dissolution and declining mental health (Downey, Bonica, & Rincon, 1999; Stackert & Bursik, 2003). As well as having direct associations with relationship interactions and depression, rejection sensitivity may function as an individual vulnerability that increases mental health problems when faced with relationship difficulties. Multiple theorists identify individual difference variables, such as rejection sensitivity or the related constructs of heightened anxiety about abandonment and insecure attachment, as vulnerabilities that can increase the impact of stress on mental health (Hammen, 2003; Hazan & Shaver, 1987; Shirk, Gudmundsen, & Burwell, 2005). It is also likely that such interpersonal vulnerabilities interfere with accruing mental health benefits from positive relationships. Hence high rejection sensitivity may play a moderating role by exacerbating the association between interpersonal stress and mental health or attenuating the association between positive relationship experiences and mental health. In the current study, the expected positive association between romantic dissolution (i.e., stress) and depression was expected to be stronger among high-rejection-sensitive persons as compared to others. The expected negative association between romantic satisfaction and depression was expected to be weaker among high-rejectionsensitive persons as compared to others. Romantic relationships, rejection, and commitement 113 Bidirectional Associations: Depressive Symptoms and Relationships In this study, depression was expected to be both a precursor and an outcome of relationship dissolution. This has repeatedly been acknowledged, but such birdirectional associations are less often empirically examined (Barnett & Gotlib, 1998; Coyne, 1976; Katz & Beach, 1997; Weinstock & Whisman, 2004). Depression can be a precursor of dissolution, because it is often accompanied by behaviours that erode relationship satisfaction. For example, marital distress has been found to be a consequence of depressive symptoms, as well as a vulnerability factor for depression (Heim & Snyder, 1991). Depressed people can be overly dependent on their partners and seek reassurance in ways that may distance their partners (Barnett & Gotlib, 1998, Van Orden & Joiner, 2006). In Coyne’s (1976) Interactional Model of Depression, depressed individuals are described as having fewer positive interactions within their relationship and less satisfying relationships, which maintains or increases depressive symptom levels. Relationship Commitment as a Moderator Relationship commitment, defined as making a long-term investment in a relationship, varies greatly during late adolescence. Such commitment may overlap with, but is not redundant with relationship satisfaction (Fehr, 2003). For example, in Rusbult’s (Rusbult & Buunk, 1993) relationship investment model, satisfaction is associated with commitment, but they are two separate model components. It is easy to imagine a young person who is highly satisfied with her couple relationship, but who does not anticipate the relationship to last an extended period of time or expect it to be a life-long partnership or marriage (Furman, Brown, & Feiring, 1999). The level of commitment is an important consideration when studying interpersonal relationships and depressive symptoms. For example, the association between relationship and mental health problems is more often supported when the focus is on committed relationships (i.e., marriage) rather than on dating relationships (Weinstock & Whisman, 2004). Greater commitment implies more investment in the relationship. This includes personal commitments of dedication and stronger feelings for the other. Greater commitment is also likely to come with certain structures, such as more shared activities, shared friends and public displays of the relationship (Johnson, 1991). Relationship problems could have a more significant impact on mental health when commitment is high, because high personal investments are at risk and problems can change the structure of multiple social domains. This also implies more loss and arenas of perceived rejection, which could have more mental health implications for high-rejectionsensitive persons than others. As such, high commitment, as compared to low commitment, was expected to strengthen associations between relationship dissolution, rejection sensitivity and depression.