Home Scales Rejection Sensitivity Questionnaire

Rejection Sensitivity Questionnaire

by Psychology Roots
1 views
A+A-
Reset

Rejection Sensitivity Questionnaire

Here in this post, we are sharing the “Rejection Sensitivity Questionnaire”. You can read psychometric and Author information.  We have thousands of Scales and questionnaires in our collection (See Scales and Questionnaires). You can demand us any scale and questionnaires related to psychology through our community, and we will provide you with a short time. Keep visiting Psychology Roots.

About Scale Name

Scale Name

Rejection Sensitivity Questionnaire

Author Details

Geraldine Downey and Scott I. Feldman

Translation Availability

Not Sure

Rejection Sensitivity Questionnaire
Rejection Sensitivity Questionnaire

Background/Description

The Rejection Sensitivity Questionnaire (RSQ) was developed by Geraldine Downey and her colleagues in the late 1990s. The concept of rejection sensitivity emerged from their research on interpersonal relationships and the impact of rejection on individuals’ emotions and behaviors.

The RSQ is a self-report questionnaire designed to measure an individual’s level of rejection sensitivity. It assesses two main dimensions: rejection expectancy and rejection reactivity. Rejection expectancy refers to the extent to which individuals anticipate and expect rejection from others. Rejection reactivity assesses the emotional and behavioral reactions to the perceived possibility of rejection.

The RSQ consists of a series of statements to which participants rate their level of agreement or disagreement on a scale, typically ranging from 1 (strongly disagree) to 6 (strongly agree). The questionnaire captures the individual’s tendencies to interpret ambiguous social cues as indicating possible rejection and their emotional and behavioral responses to such cues.

By developing the RSQ, Downey and her colleagues aimed to provide researchers and clinicians with a reliable and valid instrument to assess rejection sensitivity. The questionnaire enables the measurement of rejection sensitivity across different populations and allows for the investigation of its implications for individuals’ well-being and social functioning.

Since its development, the RSQ has been utilized in numerous research studies examining the consequences of rejection sensitivity in various contexts. It has contributed to a better understanding of how individuals perceive and respond to social interactions, particularly in terms of their sensitivity to rejection.

Administration, Scoring and Interpretation

Provide a clear and concise explanation: Begin by explaining the purpose of the questionnaire and how the responses will be used. Assure participants that their responses will be kept confidential and used for research or assessment purposes only.

Provide clear instructions: Clearly explain how participants should respond to the items. Inform them about the rating scale and what each point on the scale represents (e.g., 1 = strongly disagree, 6 = strongly agree).

Ensure a suitable environment: Create a comfortable and quiet environment for participants to complete the questionnaire. Minimize distractions and ensure privacy to encourage honest and focused responses.

Provide ample time: Allow participants sufficient time to read and respond to each item without feeling rushed. The RSQ typically consists of several items, so ensure that participants have enough time to complete the questionnaire at their own pace.

Complete the questionnaire independently: Instruct participants to complete the RSQ independently without discussing their responses with others. This helps maintain the validity and reliability of the questionnaire.

Clarify any doubts: If participants have any questions or uncertainties about the items, be available to clarify or provide additional explanations. However, avoid influencing their responses or providing interpretations of the items.

Collect the completed questionnaires: Once participants have finished, collect the completed RSQ questionnaires. Store them securely and ensure confidentiality in handling the data.

Scoring and interpretation: After data collection, scoring the RSQ involves calculating scores for rejection expectancy and rejection reactivity dimensions separately. This can be done by summing the scores for the corresponding items. Higher scores indicate higher rejection sensitivity.

Reliability and Validity

The Rejection Sensitivity Questionnaire (RSQ) has been widely used in research and has demonstrated good reliability and validity. Here is an overview of its reliability and validity:

Reliability refers to the consistency and stability of the measurements obtained from a questionnaire. The RSQ has shown good internal consistency, indicating that the items within each dimension (rejection expectancy and rejection reactivity) are highly correlated.

Internal consistency: Studies have reported high internal consistency for both the rejection expectancy and rejection reactivity subscales of the RSQ. Cronbach’s alpha coefficients, which measure internal consistency, have typically ranged from satisfactory to excellent (e.g., above 0.80) for each subscale.

Test-retest reliability: Test-retest reliability assesses the stability of the RSQ scores over time. Studies examining the test-retest reliability of the RSQ have shown moderate to high stability, suggesting that the questionnaire yields consistent results when administered to the same individuals at different time points.

Validity refers to the extent to which a questionnaire measures what it intends to measure. The RSQ has demonstrated good construct validity, convergent validity, and predictive validity.

Construct validity: The RSQ was developed based on a theoretical framework of rejection sensitivity, and subsequent research has supported the underlying construct. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses have consistently supported the two-factor structure of rejection expectancy and rejection reactivity.

Convergent validity: The RSQ has shown positive correlations with measures of related constructs, such as social anxiety, self-esteem, attachment insecurity, and depressive symptoms. This indicates that individuals with higher rejection sensitivity tend to report higher levels of these related constructs, supporting the convergent validity of the RSQ.

Predictive validity: Studies have demonstrated that higher scores on the RSQ predict various psychological and interpersonal outcomes. For example, individuals with higher rejection sensitivity are more likely to experience increased social anxiety, difficulties in interpersonal relationships, and higher risk for mental health problems, such as depression and aggression.

Cultural validity: The RSQ has been translated and adapted for use in different cultural contexts, demonstrating its cross-cultural validity. However, researchers should consider cultural and contextual factors that may influence the interpretation and manifestation of rejection sensitivity.

Available Versions

18-Items

Reference

Downey, G., & Feldman, S. I. (1996). Rejection sensitivity and children’s interpersonal difficulties. Child Development, 67(3), 1101-1111.

Important Link

Scale File:

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the purpose of the Rejection Sensitivity Questionnaire (RSQ)?
The RSQ is designed to assess an individual’s level of rejection sensitivity. It measures the tendency to expect rejection from others and the emotional and behavioral reactions to perceived rejection. The questionnaire is used in research studies to examine the impact of rejection sensitivity on various psychological and interpersonal outcomes.

Can I take the RSQ online?
Yes, there are online versions of the RSQ available for individuals to take. However, it’s important to ensure that you are using a reliable and validated version of the questionnaire. Some research studies or academic institutions may provide online versions of the RSQ that have been adapted for online administration.

Can the RSQ be used to diagnose rejection sensitivity?
The RSQ is not a diagnostic tool and should not be used as the sole basis for diagnosing rejection sensitivity. It is primarily used as a research instrument to measure rejection sensitivity in a general population. If you suspect you or someone you know may have high rejection sensitivity, it is recommended to consult with a qualified mental health professional for a comprehensive evaluation.

Can the RSQ be used with different populations?
Yes, the RSQ has been used with various populations, including adults, adolescents, and children. It has also been adapted for different cultural contexts. However, it’s important to consider cultural and contextual factors that may influence the interpretation of the RSQ items and responses.

Can the RSQ be used in a clinical setting?
While the RSQ can provide insights into an individual’s rejection sensitivity, it is primarily a research instrument. In a clinical setting, it is typically used in conjunction with other assessments and clinical judgment to gain a comprehensive understanding of an individual’s psychological profile and inform treatment planning.

Disclaimer

Please note that Psychology Roots does not have the right to grant permission for the use of any psychological scales or assessments listed on its website. To use any scale or assessment, you must obtain permission directly from the author or translator of the tool. Psychology Roots provides information about various tools and their administration procedures, but it is your responsibility to obtain proper permissions before using any scale or assessment. If you need further information about an author’s contact details, please submit a query to the Psychology Roots team.

Help Us Improve This Article

Have you discovered an inaccuracy? We put out great effort to give accurate and scientifically trustworthy information to our readers. Please notify us if you discover any typographical or grammatical errors.
Make a comment. We acknowledge and appreciate your efforts.

Share With Us

If you have any scale or any material related to psychology kindly share it with us at psychologyroots@gmail.com. We help others on behalf of you.

Follow

Related Posts

Leave a Comment