Sensitivity to Negative Evaluation, Fear of Rejection, and Social Competence Among Students With Avoidant Personality Tendencies

Abstract

This study investigates the relationship between sensitivity to negative evaluation, fear of rejection, and social competence among school students with avoidant personality tendencies. Avoidant Personality Disorder is characterized by social inhibition, low self-esteem, and hypersensitivity to criticism, often emerging during adolescence. A correlational, cross-sectional design was employed with a purposive sample of 100 students (50 boys and 50 girls), aged 14–16, from government schools in Faisalabad. Standardized tools, including the Brief Fear of Negative Evaluation Scale, Fear of Rejection Scale, Social Competence Scale, and Social Avoidance Scale, were used to collect data. The findings revealed a significant positive correlation between sensitivity to negative evaluation and fear of rejection, and significant negative correlations between both variables and social competence. Gender-based differences were found: females scored higher on fear of rejection and negative evaluation, while males demonstrated higher social competence. Students from nuclear families and rural areas showed greater avoidant tendencies compared to those from joint families and urban settings. The results highlight the psychological challenges faced by adolescents with avoidant traits, emphasizing the need for early identification and support. Enhancing social skills and emotional resilience through school-based interventions could help mitigate the effects of rejection sensitivity and improve peer interactions. This study adds to the understanding of interpersonal difficulties in adolescence and offers insights for future educational and psychological strategies.