Understanding the Role of an Invalidating Childhood Environment and Adult Attachment in Fear of Rejection Among Young Adults

Fathima Nasrin K.N; Veerasamy Sandhiya

doi:10.36948/ijfmr.2026.v08i03.80724

Understanding the Role of an Invalidating Childhood Environment and Adult Attachment in Fear of Rejection Among Young Adults

Author(s)	Ms. Fathima Nasrin K.N, Dr. Veerasamy Sandhiya
Country	India
Abstract	Early childhood experiences play a crucial role in shaping emotional and relational development. When children grow up in an invalidating childhood environment (ICE) where their emotions are consistently dismissed, ignored, or punished, they internalize beliefs that their feelings are unworthy of attention. These repeated experiences of invalidation disrupt the development of healthy emotion regulation, self-esteem, and interpersonal trust, often resulting in insecure adult attachment patterns and heightened vulnerability to fear of rejection. While each of these three constructs has been studied individually, there remains a significant gap in research examining how invalidating childhood experiences and adult attachment together predict fear of rejection particularly within the Indian cultural context. The present study therefore aimed to explore the combined role of ICE and adult attachment in predicting fear of rejection among 433 young adults aged 18 to 25 years. Data were collected using the Invalidating Childhood Environment Scale (ICES), the Adult Attachment Scale – Close Relationships Version (AAS-CR), and the Fear of Rejection Scale (FRS). Statistical analyses included independent samples t-tests, one-way ANOVAs with Games-Howell post hoc comparisons, and Pearson correlation coefficients. Results revealed significant associations between ICES and lower comfort with closeness and dependence in adult attachment, and between ICES and higher fear of rejection. Several demographic variables — including residence, educational qualification, marital status, birth order, number of siblings, and family income status — significantly differentiated participants on ICES and fear of rejection. The findings are discussed in relation to attachment theory, biosocial theory, rejection sensitivity theory, and cognitive models of interpersonal functioning.
Keywords	Invalidating Childhood Environment, Adult Attachment, Fear of Rejection, Young Adults, Rejection Sensitivity
Published In	Volume 8, Issue 3, May-June 2026
Published On	2026-06-09
DOI	https://doi.org/10.36948/ijfmr.2026.v08i03.80724

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Understanding the Role of an Invalidating Childhood Environment and Adult Attachment in Fear of Rejection Among Young Adults

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