The examination of the relationship between aggression, rejection sensitivity, alexithymia, and emotional expressivity

Nazmiye Arduç

doi:10.32322/jhsm.1856171

The examination of the relationship between aggression, rejection sensitivity, alexithymia, and emotional expressivity

Abstract

Aims: Aggression is influenced by both interpersonal threat sensitivity and internal emotional processing mechanisms. However, the relative contributions of rejection sensitivity, alexithymia, and emotional expressivity remain insufficiently clarified in adult populations. To examine the associations among aggression, rejection sensitivity, alexithymia, and emotional expressivity and to determine their predictive roles in aggressive behavior. Methods: Cross-sectional study conducted using an online survey. The sample consisted of 406 adults aged 18-58 years (53.9% female). Aggression (Buss-Durkee Aggression Scale), Rejection Sensitivity Questionnaire, Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-20), and Berkeley Expressivity Questionnaire were administered. Results: Aggression showed positive correlations with rejection sensitivity (r=.41, p<.001) and alexithymia (r=.35, p<.001), and a negative correlation with emotional expressivity (r=-.21, p<.001). In multiple regression analysis, rejection sensitivity (β=.35, p<.001) and alexithymia (β=.27, p<.001) significantly predicted aggression, explaining 24% of variance (R²=.24). Emotional expressivity was not a significant predictor (β=-.01, p=.867). Conclusion: Aggression appears to be more strongly linked to deficits in emotional awareness and heightened interpersonal rejection sensitivity than to emotional expressivity. Interventions targeting emotional identification and rejection-related cognitive biases may reduce aggressive tendencies.

Keywords

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Ethical Statement

I declare that this research was conducted in accordance with the principles of scientific research and publication ethics.

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Clinical Psychology

Journal Section

Research Article

Authors

Nazmiye Arduç ^*
0009-0009-2734-9214
Türkiye

Publication Date

May 19, 2026

Submission Date

January 5, 2026

Acceptance Date

April 9, 2026

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Volume: 9 Number: 3

DOI

https://doi.org/10.32322/jhsm.1856171

IZ

https://izlik.org/JA35FB66GX

Cite

RIS / Bibtex

APA

Arduç, N. (2026). The examination of the relationship between aggression, rejection sensitivity, alexithymia, and emotional expressivity. Journal of Health Sciences and Medicine, 9(3), 583-890. https://doi.org/10.32322/jhsm.1856171

AMA

1.Arduç N. The examination of the relationship between aggression, rejection sensitivity, alexithymia, and emotional expressivity. J Health Sci Med / JHSM. 2026;9(3):583-890. doi:10.32322/jhsm.1856171

Chicago

Arduç, Nazmiye. 2026. “The Examination of the Relationship Between Aggression, Rejection Sensitivity, Alexithymia, and Emotional Expressivity”. Journal of Health Sciences and Medicine 9 (3): 583-890. https://doi.org/10.32322/jhsm.1856171.

EndNote

Arduç N (May 1, 2026) The examination of the relationship between aggression, rejection sensitivity, alexithymia, and emotional expressivity. Journal of Health Sciences and Medicine 9 3 583–890.

IEEE

[1]N. Arduç, “The examination of the relationship between aggression, rejection sensitivity, alexithymia, and emotional expressivity”, J Health Sci Med / JHSM, vol. 9, no. 3, pp. 583–890, May 2026, doi: 10.32322/jhsm.1856171.

ISNAD

Arduç, Nazmiye. “The Examination of the Relationship Between Aggression, Rejection Sensitivity, Alexithymia, and Emotional Expressivity”. Journal of Health Sciences and Medicine 9/3 (May 1, 2026): 583-890. https://doi.org/10.32322/jhsm.1856171.

JAMA

1.Arduç N. The examination of the relationship between aggression, rejection sensitivity, alexithymia, and emotional expressivity. J Health Sci Med / JHSM. 2026;9:583–890.

MLA

Arduç, Nazmiye. “The Examination of the Relationship Between Aggression, Rejection Sensitivity, Alexithymia, and Emotional Expressivity”. Journal of Health Sciences and Medicine, vol. 9, no. 3, May 2026, pp. 583-90, doi:10.32322/jhsm.1856171.

Vancouver

1.Nazmiye Arduç. The examination of the relationship between aggression, rejection sensitivity, alexithymia, and emotional expressivity. J Health Sci Med / JHSM. 2026 May 1;9(3):583-890. doi:10.32322/jhsm.1856171