Honors Theses and Capstones
Date of Award
Spring 2012
Project Type
Senior Honors Thesis
College or School
COLA
Department
Psychology
Program or Major
Psychology
First Advisor
Edward P. Lemay Jr.
Abstract
The authors conducted an experiment to test the interpersonal model of depression (Coyne, 1976), and specifically the link between excessive reassurance seeking (ERS) and rejection. The present study involved college-aged romantic couples. Some participants were then manipulated into perceiving that their partner was seeking reassurance from them. Results support the main tenets of Coyne’s (1976) theory. Participants reported increased frustration and reduced felt closeness to dysphoric partners when they were led to believe that their partners were engaging in ERS. Effects on frustration were moderated by partners’ depression, while effects on felt closeness were partially mediated by frustration, yielding a mediated moderation model. Alternative explanations were not supported. Clinical and theoretical implications are discussed.
Recommended Citation
Cannon, Kevin T., "Do you really love me?: An experimental investigation of reassurance seeking and interpersonal rejection" (2012). Honors Theses and Capstones. 4.
https://scholars.unh.edu/honors/4