The Relation Between Emerging Adults Attachment Styles And Rejection Sensitivity: The Mediating Role Of Emotion Regulation Difficulties

Abstract

Although the relation between emerging adults’ attachment styles and rejection sensitivity is well-established, there remains a lack of understanding regarding the potential mechanisms that mediate this association. This study aims to explore the mediating role of emotion regulation difficulties in the relation between attachment styles and rejection sensitivity among emerging adults. The sample comprised of 373 participants aged 18-29 years (M<inf>age</inf> = 22.80 years, SD = 2.55), of whom 85.5% were female. Data was collected online. The ThreeDimensional Attachment Styles Scale was used to assess participants' attachment styles, the Difficulties in Emotion Regulation ScaleBrief Form was utilized to evaluate emotion regulation difficulties, and the Rejection Sensitivity Questionnaire measured levels of rejection sensitivity. The mediation analysis revealed that emotion regulation difficulties significantly mediated the relation between secure attachment style and rejection sensitivity. However, emotion regulation difficulties did not significantly mediate the relation between anxious-indecisive or avoidant attachment styles and rejection sensitivity. Notably, the analysis showed that females experienced greater difficulties in emotion regulation and these difficulties decreased with age. These findings highlight the complex interplay between attachment styles, emotion regulation difficulties, and rejection sensitivity among Turkish emerging adults. The results of this study will provide valuable insights to the professionals working with individuals experiencing rejection sensitivity, emphasizing the critical role of attachment security and emotion regulation. © 2026, Association for Clinical Psychology Research. All rights reserved.