Zabri, Dalili Zahiah
(2021)
Depressive symptoms as potential moderator and mediator : rejection sensitivity and emotional recognition of facial expression in adults who are pursuing tertiary education.
Masters thesis, Universiti Sains Malaysia.
Abstract
Everyone experiences social interaction with human beings at any point of life. Social
interaction may lead to social rejection and considered normal to be experienced at any point of
relationship. Different people tend to have different level of rejection sensitivity level. Much of
the rejection sensitivity research conducted within Western countries and not Asian countries.
Previous research found a relationship between rejection sensitivity level and depression
(Kraines & Wells , 2017). Previous research shows there is a positive relationship between
depression and rejection sensitivity level (Kraines & Wells , 2017). Relationship between
depression and emotion recognition were also found in previous studies (Byrne, Norris, &
Worthy, 2016). Previous research shows that there is a negative relationship between depression
and emotion recognition (Byrne, Norris, & Worthy, 2016). This research investigates whether
research findings collected within Western population is in line with Asian Population. Based on
the relationship found in previous research studies, I further tested if there is a relationship
between rejection sensitivity and emotional recognition of facial expression with depressive
symptoms as a potential moderator and mediator of the relationship.
A total of 85 participants covering male and female adults who are pursuing tertiary
education in Malaysia have participated in this correlational study by completing a 30 minutes
face to face session. All participants completed 2 self – report questionnaires and 1 computerized
test in a single session. The difference of rejection sensitivity level between male and female
adults who are pursuing tertiary education was explored using independent t – test. Results show
there were no significant difference between male and female adults in rejection sensitivity level.
The relationship of rejection sensitivity level and emotional recognition of facial expression was
also explored using correlation. There was no significant relationship found between rejection sensitivity level and emotional recognition. Lastly, PROCESS in SPSS was used to analyze if
depressive symptom moderates or mediates the relationship of rejection sensitivity level and
emotional recognition. Depressive symptom was found to be not significant in moderating or
mediating the strength of relationship between rejection sensitivity level and emotional
recognition of facial expression.
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