Romantic Experiences and Depressive Symptoms: Testing the Intensifying Roles of Rejection Sensitivity and Relationship Commitment

Longitudinal associations between couple relationship satisfaction and dissolution, rejection sensitivity, and depression were investigated using structural equation modeling. Rejection sensitivity and relationship commitment were expected to exacerbate or attenuate some model paths. Participants were aged 17 to 21 (N = 179) in couple relationships. Relationship dissolution was less likely among those who were more satisfied and had lengthier relationships. A greater chance of dissolution was also associated with rejection sensitivity among those high in commitment but not among those who were low in commitment. With regards to predicting depression, rejection sensitivity, but not relationship factors, was directly associated with later depressive symptoms. When the current findings were integrated with previous research, it appears that negative relational thoughts and behaviours of high-rejection-sensitive persons were more likely to be activated and associated with mental health problems when personal relationship satisfaction or commitment was elevated. The formation, maintenance and dissolution of close relationships can result in negative affect, sleeplessness and many other symptoms of depression (Monroe, Rohde, Seeley, & Lewinsohn, 1999; Welsh, Grello, & Harper, 2003; Zimmer-Gembeck, Seibenbruner, & Collins, 2001; Zimmer-Gembeck & Gallaty, 2006). A first episode of clinical depression often occurs between 13 and 19 years of age and depression often becomes chronic or recurs during th