Keywords
sexual violence, aggression, rejection, rejection sensitivity, perceived injustice
Abstract
PURPOSE: Sexual rejection can be often associated with an aggressive response. Prior research has identified rejection sensitivity as a risk factor for aggressive behavior, however, it has not been investigated in the context of sexual rejection. Highly rejection sensitive men may attend to negative cues, feel “betrayed,” and respond aggressively, especially after consuming alcohol.Thus, the goal of this study was to investigate the perpetration of aggressive responses to sexual rejection by examining the roles of rejection sensitivity, perceived injustice, and alcohol use in a sample of young adult men. METHOD: Men (n = 447) who endorsed one lifetime sexual rejection by a woman completed an online survey assessing rejection sensitivity, perceived injustice, and alcohol use from their experience of sexual rejection. Hypotheses were tested using a moderated mediation model examining the direct association between rejection sensitivity and aggressive responses to sexual rejection as well as the indirect effect of perceived injustice on this association. Alcohol use was examined as a moderator of the path between rejection sensitivity and perceived injustice. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: Analyses revealed a significant association between rejection sensitivity and aggressive responses. Further, perceived injustice significantly mediated the association between rejection sensitivity and aggressive responses to sexual rejection. There were no significant results related to alcohol use. These findings advance our understanding of risk factors that may influence aggressive responses and sexual aggression and could guide development of effective prevention and intervention strategies addressing sexual assault.
Completion Date
2025
Semester
Spring
Committee Chair
Dunn, Michael
Degree
Master of Science (M.S.)
College
College of Sciences
Department
Psychology
Identifier
DP0029284
Document Type
Dissertation/Thesis
Campus Location
Orlando (Main) Campus
STARS Citation
Davis, Cameron A., "Men’s Aggressive Responses To Sexual Rejection: The Roles Of Rejection Sensitivity, Alcohol Use, And Perceived Injustice" (2025). Graduate Thesis and Dissertation post-2024. 117.
https://stars.library.ucf.edu/etd2024/117