From rejection sensitivity to peer susceptibility: Body image as a bridge

Abstract

Adolescence is a pivotal developmental stage marked by heightened sensitivity to social acceptance. During this period, adolescents increasingly rely on peer feedback to form their sense of self and identity. Susceptibility to peer influence can be linked both to maladaptive behaviors and to adaptive changes (Laursen & Veenstra, 2021). However, not all adolescents are equally influenced by their peers; certain personality traits may heighten this vulnerability (Belsky & Pluess, 2009). This study aims to investigate how susceptibility to peer influence is longitudinally related to rejection sensitivity and body image. Data were drawn from the longitudinal research project NAVIGATE. The study was conducted in a regional town in Lithuania. The sample consisted of students from six high schools, with a total of 746 students in grades 5 - 8. Participants were aged 10 – 14 years (M = 12.33, SD = 1.17). The sample was diverse in terms of family and socio-economic backgrounds but homogeneous in terms of ethnic background. Written parental consent and student assent were obtained prior to participation. The study was conducted across three waves over one academic year. The following measures were used: Resistance to Peer Influence scale (Steinberg & Monahan, 2007), Children’s Rejection Sensitivity Questionnaire (Downey et al., 1998), Perceived Competence Scale for Children (Harter, 1985). Significant concurrent correlations were observed among all study variables across all three time points. The longitudinal interplay between the study variables was analyzed using three waves of data collected one academic year. Both direct and indirect pathways were considered. At each time interval higher rejection sensitivity predicted lower body image, and lower body image predicted higher susceptibility to peer influence. Bias-corrected bootstrapped 95% confidence intervals confirmed indirect effect: Time1 rejection sensitivity predicted Time 3 susceptibility to peer influence via Time 2 body image (β=.004 [.001, .014]. Thus, the hypothesis was confirmed.