THE MODERATING ROLE OF SEX ON THE RELATION BETWEEN COGNITIVE REAPPRAISAL AND REJECTION SENSITIVITY IN ADOLESCENTS

<p dir="ltr">Functional and dysfunctional emotion regulation strategies have differential effects on rejection sensitivity. However, there is limited research on how sex impacts the effect of emotion regulation strategies on rejection sensitivity in adolescents. Rejection sensitivity has been conceptualized as having three components: cognitive expectation of rejection, angry expectation of rejection, and nervous expectation of rejection. This study investigated how sex impacts the effect of cognitive reappraisal on rejection sensitivity in adolescents. Specifically, this study (n =166) investigated the moderating role of sex on the relationship between cognitive reappraisal and the rejection sensitive dimensions of angry, nervous, and cognitive expectation of rejection. Results demonstrated that sex moderated the relationship between cognitive reappraisal and angry expectation of rejection. Specifically, females who utilized more cognitive reappraisal experienced less angry expectation of rejection, than males. This study provides preliminary support for the moderating role of sex on the associations between an emotion regulation strategy and rejection sensitivity in adolescents, and highlights gaps in the literature for future research.</p>