Commitment and expectations of acceptance as factors promoting relationship-repairing behaviors in response to interpersonal rejection: The mediation process and moderating role of attachment orientation

Abstract

Commitment and expectations of acceptance in relationships promote relationship-repairing behaviors in response to interpersonal rejection. The present study examined differences between these factors in the mediation process, and the moderating role of attachment orientation in the process. One hundred and seventy-eight undergraduate students participated in a questionnaire study, in which they reported their attachment orientation, rated their degrees of commitment and expectations of acceptance by a close friend, and indicated how they would feel and behave if that friend rejected them. Mediational analyses revealed that self-regard feelings partially mediated the association between commitment and relationship-repairing behaviors. Further analyses also showed that mediation effects disappeared among those with high attachment avoidance. There were only direct effects of expectations of acceptance on relationship-repairing behaviors regardless of attachment orientation. These results suggested that there are multiple pathways for promoting relationship-repairing behaviors in response to interpersonal rejection. In addition, this study discussed the implications of these findings for relationship-repairing mechanisms.