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Abstract
There is an established link between peer rejection and conforming to group norms; however, less is known about the factors that influence the susceptibility to conformity of children within relationally aggressive friendship groups. Thus, the present study investigated the potential role of rejection sensitivity in explaining the link between experiencing or witnessing relational victimization within the friendship group and conformity intentions. Using ego network methodology, 353 fourth and fifth graders identified friendship group members who were relationally aggressive to “me” or to “others” and reported on their own rejection sensitivity and conformity intentions. Results suggested that although rejection sensitivity did not mediate the relationship between witnessing or experiencing relational aggression and conformity intentions, it had a significant main effect on conformity intentions. Despite this main effect, the results were counterintuitive; thus, exploratory analyses of the rejection sensitivity components were conducted. Implications in light of these findings are discussed.