Autobiographical memory characteristic regarding rejection sensitivity: A qualitative

The main purpose of this study was to determine the autobiographical memory characteristics that differ in parallel with the positive or negative emotional content of the memory. Depending on this purpose, it was aimed to examine the determinants in remembering memories in depth on the axis of “self-other relationship”, “components of memory”, and “rejection sensitivity”. For this purpose, 402 participants between the ages of 18-35 (M = 21.99, SD = 3.31) participated in the study. Firstly, it was aimed to trigger the rejection experience for the autobiographical moment to be recalled later by presenting the Rejection Sensitivity Questionnaire (RSQ). In the second stage, the participants were asked to write down their first and well-remembered, both positive and negative memories of the rejection situation. In the last stage, the participants were expected to choose one of these memories and fill the Autobiographical Memory Characteristics Questionnaire (AMCQ) depending to this memory. It was found that the participants remembered positive memories more than negative ones and the expectation of acceptance was experienced more intensely than rejection anxiety in the quantitative analysis. In the inductive thematic analysis procedure used in analyzing the data: (1) the emotional content of the memory, (2) references regarding the rejection situation, (3) being rejected in relationships, (4) the needs for the self and the other, (5) the source of rejection sensitivity, and (6) the defense mechanisms triggered in case of rejection which it is seen that 6 themes became prominent. Considering the limitations in the discussion and conclusion section, variables that may be critical for future studies are proposed in line with the relevant literature.