The Role of Social Rejection Sensitivity in Perceived Social Connectedness and Belongingness among University Students

Abstract

A student can be surrounded by people and still feel utterly alone. Feeling socially connected does not always translate into feeling a genuine sense of belonging. This paradox reflects the complexity of interpersonal relationships during early adulthood and highlights the need to better understand the psychological factors that shape students’ social experiences. One such factor is social rejection sensitivity, the tendency to anxiously expect, readily perceive, and overreact to potential rejection. Although rejection sensitivity has been associated with a range of psychosocial outcomes, comparatively little research has explored how it relates simultaneously to perceived connectedness and belongingness. Accordingly, the present study aimed to examine the relationship between social rejection sensitivity, perceived social connectedness, and belongingness among university students. A sample of 30 university students aged 18-25 years from Punjab, completed the Online and Offline Social Sensitivity Scale (O²S³), the Social Connectedness Scale (SCS), and the Sense of Belonging Scale (SBS 16). Results revealed a significant negative relationship between social rejection sensitivity and belongingness. Although social rejection sensitivity was negatively associated with perceived social connectedness, this relationship was not statistically significant. Perceived social connectedness and belongingness demonstrated a strong positive correlation. The findings underscore that being socially connected does not guarantee a sense of belonging. By distinguishing between these closely related social experiences, this study contributes to a deeper understanding of students' interpersonal functioning and provides a foundation for future research on social adjustment in higher education.