SELF-DETERMINATION, REJECTION SENSITIVITY AND SOCIAL INTERACTION ANXIETY IN TRANSGENDER

Abstract

The present study was conducted to explore the relationship between self-determination, rejection sensitivity, and social interaction anxiety in transgender. It was hypothesized that self-determination is likely to be negatively related to social interaction anxiety, and is likely to be a negative predictor of social interaction anxiety in transgender. It was also hypothesized that rejection sensitivity is likely to be positively related to social interaction anxiety, and is likely to be a positive predictor of social interaction anxiety in transgender. A correlational cross-sectional research design was used in this study, and the sample of transgender (N=42) was selected from Fountain House Lahore by using a purposive sampling technique. To collect data, the Personal Information Sheet, The Self-Determination Scale (Seldon & Deci, 1996), the Adult-Rejection Sensitivity Questionnaire (Downey, Berenson & Kang, 2006), and the Social Interaction Anxiety Scale (Mattick & Clark, 1989) were used. The results showed a significant negative relationship between self-determination and social interaction anxiety, whereas rejection sensitivity was not significantly related to social interaction anxiety. Results of regression analysis revealed that friends in transgender community and self-determination were significant predictors of social interaction anxiety, while rejection sensitivity emerged as a non-significant predictor of social interaction anxiety in transgender. The research findings may be useful for clinical psychologists, the committees of transgender rights, and for the relevant policy makers.