Adult Rejection Sensitivity Questionnaire: Psychometric Properties and Factor Structure of the French Version

Rejection sensitivity is the disposition to anxiously expect, readily perceive, and overreact to rejection. It is increasingly recognized as a transdiagnostic mechanism involved in many interpersonal outcomes and mental health issues. The present study aimed to validate a French adaptation of the Adult Rejection Sensitivity Questionnaire (A-RSQ) and assess its psychometric properties and factor structure in a sample of 584 adults. Participants completed the A-RSQ, the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) for depression and anxiety symptoms, and the Cognitive Emotion Regulation Questionnaire (CERQ) for emotion regulation difficulties, and 53 completed a follow-up survey on the A-RSQ two weeks later. Item distribution analysis results indicated that all 18 items were appropriate. Exploratory factor analysis identified two underlying components: rejection concern and rejection expectancy, which both demonstrated good test-retest reliability. Confirmatory factor analysis validated the two-factor and bifactor models as the best fits for the data. However, the general factor exhibited insufficient reliability and accounted for an inadequate portion of the total and common variance to justify interpreting the A-RSQ as purely unidimensional. Both rejection concern and expectancy were associated with anxiety and depressive symptoms, as well as adaptive and maladaptive emotion regulation strategies, as indicated by partial correlations. These results and their implications were discussed regarding the original scale development, subsequent adaptation procedures, and the complex nature of rejection sensitivity. Further research is needed to understand the intricate relationship between A-RSQ factors and investigate the distinct and cumulative effects of rejection sensitivity components on mental health outcomes.