Gender differences in rejection sensitivity

Rejection Sensitivity (RS) is defined as the disposition to anxiously expect, readily perceive, and strongly react to the mere possibility of rejection in interpersonal situations. RS is a core feature of Cluster B Personality disorder and in particular in borderline personality disorder (BPD). Whereas BPD seem more prevalent among females, is not yet clearly established whether RS and its major components, have a different distribution according to the gender. We will explore whether gender affects the levels of RS and their association with BPD-like personality traits. To test this aim we will compare male and female in both clinical (n=213) and non-clinical (n=2093) populations on self-reported measures of RS, such as the Rejection Sensitivity Questionnaires (i.e., RSQ and A-RSQ). These questionnaires are divided into three subscales that measures: concern about rejection, expectation of rejection, and anger response to rejection. In a subset of participants (n=675) we will also evaluate whether gender affects the association between RS and BPD traits at the SCID-5-PD screener.