Childhood Trauma, Rejection Sensitivity, and Interpersonal Distortions

Journal of Child & Adolescent Trauma | 2025, Vol. 8, p. 947 - 957

The Impact of Childhood Trauma and Rejection Sensitivity on Interpersonal Cognitive Distortions in Young Adults

Mohib Rehman; Shifa College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shifa Tameer-e-Millat University, Islamabad, Pakistan

Sumayia Quddos; Department of Clinical Psychology, Shifa Tameer-e-Millat University, Islamabad, Pakistan

“Childhood trauma is a significant contributing factor to adult mental health problems,” and individuals exposed to such trauma “face an elevated risk of experiencing severe mental health challenges such as PTSD, depression, anxiety, and cognitive impairments.” Early experiences are emphasized as central to development, as “childhood trauma can foster cognitive deficits, amplify vulnerability to rejection, and contribute to the formation of insecure attachment patterns,” which in turn “influence the quality of young adults’ interpersonal relationships.” These processes are linked to the development of maladaptive schemas, including beliefs that “others are untrustworthy… or one is unworthy of love and acceptance,” which may lead to “unhealthy relationships characterized by… a pervasive fear of rejection.” Rejection sensitivity is described as “a heightened tendency to anticipate, perceive, and overreact to rejection,” often resulting in maladaptive behaviors that “harm interpersonal relationships.” Given these interconnections, the study aimed to examine “how early traumatic experiences influence the interpersonal functioning of young adults,” specifically exploring whether childhood trauma predicts interpersonal cognitive distortions and “the potential contribution of rejection sensitivity to these distortions” (p. 947-950).

The study focused on young adults aged 18–25, a developmental period associated with “the importance of forming close and meaningful relationships.” Using a convenience sampling approach, data were collected from 265 participants in Islamabad and Rawalpindi. Participants completed standardized measures including the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire, which assessed experiences of “abuse and neglect,” the Interpersonal Cognitive Distortions Scale measuring “intimacy avoidance, unrealistic relationship expectations, and mind-reading,” and the Adult Rejection Sensitivity Questionnaire, which evaluates individuals’ “levels of sensitivity to rejection” (p. 950).

Initial analyses tested a mediation model, based on the assumption that “rejection sensitivity arises from early childhood experiences,” but “none of the mediation analyses yielded substantial grounds to support the mediating role of rejection sensitivity.” As a result, analyses shifted to multiple regression, treating rejection sensitivity as “an independent predictor alongside childhood trauma.” Multiple models were tested to examine how childhood trauma and its subtypes predicted interpersonal cognitive distortions and their subdimensions, including intimacy avoidance and mind-reading (p. 950 - 952).

Findings indicated that childhood trauma and rejection sensitivity were both significant predictors of interpersonal cognitive distortions. Specifically, “both childhood trauma… and rejection sensitivity… were found to significantly and positively predict interpersonal cognitive distortions,” indicating that higher levels of trauma and sensitivity to rejection were associated with more distorted interpersonal thinking. When examining trauma types, “emotional abuse emerged as a significant predictor… followed by physical abuse,” while “physical neglect was negatively associated with interpersonal cognitive distortions” (p. 953-954)

For specific distortions, “both childhood trauma… and rejection sensitivity… were significant predictors of intimacy avoidance,” suggesting that individuals with greater trauma histories were “more likely to avoid intimacy in their relationships.” However, when trauma subtypes were included, emotional abuse, physical abuse, and emotional neglect remained significant predictors, while rejection sensitivity was no longer significant. For mind-reading, “both childhood trauma… and rejection sensitivity… were significant predictors,” and trauma subtypes showed that “physical abuse” and “sexual abuse” were positively associated, whereas “physical neglect was a significant negative predictor” (p. 953-954).

The findings demonstrate that “higher levels of childhood trauma were linked to increased interpersonal cognitive distortions,” supporting the idea that “early life experiences contribute to the development of cognitive distortions later in life.” Importantly, “the study did not find evidence supporting the initial expectation that rejection sensitivity would mediate this relationship,” and instead “it served as an independent predictor,” suggesting that distorted interpersonal thinking may arise directly from trauma rather than indirectly through rejection sensitivity (p. 954-956).

Specific trauma types played distinct roles, as “emotional and physical abuse… were found to be positively associated with cognitive distortions,” reinforcing that early abuse “can have profound and damaging effects on cognitive functioning.” At the same time, the negative association with physical neglect “raises intriguing questions,” potentially reflecting alternative mechanisms such as external social support (p. 954-956).

Patterns across subdimensions further showed that “individuals who endured more severe traumatic experiences… were more likely to avoid intimacy,” and that childhood trauma “influenced intimacy avoidance more than other types of interpersonal cognitive distortions.” For mind-reading, trauma was linked to “misperceiv[ing] others’ intentions,” while rejection sensitivity contributed to interpreting “ambiguous situations… as potential rejection.” Overall, these findings highlight how “early adverse experiences shape maladaptive cognitive schemas,” influencing how individuals perceive, interpret, and engage in interpersonal relationships in young adulthood (p. 954-956).

“The study addresses gaps in the literature by examining whether rejection sensitivity mediates the relationship between childhood trauma and interpersonal cognitive distortions or acts as an independent predictor. Existing research suggests that early adverse childhood experiences contribute to heightened rejection sensitivity later in life and adverse relationship dynamics. Other studies have shown that rejection sensitivity directly and negatively impacts interpersonal relationships. Given these findings, it was assumed that rejection sensitivity mediates the relationship between childhood trauma and interpersonal cognitive distortions. Our analysis tested rejection sensitivity both as a mediator and as an independent predictor, and found that it functions more as an independent predictor of interpersonal cognitive distortions, since no significant association was found between childhood trauma (or most of its specific types) and rejection sensitivity.

Childhood trauma remains an underexplored area within the Pakistani context, despite the prevalence of abuse and neglect faced by many children. The findings of this study provide valuable insights for mental health professionals, policymakers, and educators dedicated to supporting individuals affected by early adverse experiences. To promote the well-being of trauma survivors, it is crucial for mental health practitioners to consider the role of early trauma and experiences of rejection in shaping interpersonal functioning. Interventions tailored to address trauma-related interpersonal cognitive distortions may prove particularly effective. Therapists and counselors should incorporate strategies that target relational difficulties, especially among individuals with histories of emotional abuse, emotional neglect, or physical abuse. Additionally, culturally sensitive approaches are crucial in designing effective interventions, taking into account local parenting practices and prevailing social norms” (p. 957).

“This study has shed light on significant phenomena concerning childhood experiences and their impact on later interpersonal relationships, focusing on data collected from young adults. Erikson’s psychosocial development model underscores the relevance of this life stage for interpersonal relationship formation. While the study has reported noteworthy findings, it's imperative to approach them with caution and acknowledge their limitations.

The sample size of 265 respondents provided sufficient statistical power for predicting associations through regression analyses, but may not be large enough to generalize the findings to the broader population. Furthermore, the use of a non-random convenient sampling method limits the generalizability of the results, given the potential for biases. Future studies could address this limitation by employing random sampling techniques and recruiting larger, more diverse samples to enhance the scope of the findings.

Another important consideration is that the study's findings should not be interpreted as indicative of causation. The reliance on cross-sectional data restricts the understanding of the phenomenon to associations or predictions among variables, rather than establishing causality. To explore causation, future researchers may consider conducting longitudinal studies, which could provide valuable insights into the causal mechanisms underlying the phenomenon” (p. 956-957).