Development of a Scale to Measure Interpersonal Sensitivity

Abstract

We describe the development of a self-report measure (the Interpersonal Sensitivity Measure or IPSM). The IPSM generates a total score as well as five sub-scale scores: interpersonal awareness, need for approval, separation anxiety, timidity and fragile inner-self. Its reliability is demonstrated by high internal consistency in two separate groups, and by stability in scores over time in a non-clinical group. Studies of a clinical group of depressives showed change in scale scores following improvement in the depressive state, suggesting some sensitivity of the measure to mood state. The IPSM appears related to measures of neuroticism and to low self-esteem but not to a modified concept of neuroticism, emotional arousability. The constructs contributing to interpersonal sensitivity and their relevance to depression are considered. Some preliminary findings of higher scores in depressives compared to non-depressives are reported.

Interpersonal sensitivity, bullying victimization and paranoid ideation among help‐seeking adolescents and young adults

“…This is in line with cognitive models that propose that negative beliefs about the self (eg as vulnerable, weak and unlovable) may combine with threatening appraisals of others (eg implying that others are dangerous or untrustworthy), igniting negative emotions (particularly anxiety) and thereby being related to feelings of threat and paranoia (Garety et al, 2001). Interpersonal sensitivity, in part, may define the aforementioned beliefs about the self (Boyce & Parker, 1989;Davidson et al, 1988Davidson et al, , 1989. In particular, the IPSM subscale "fragile inner-self" is defined as the feeling of having a bothersome and fragile core-self that needs to be hidden from others and the expectation of criticism or rejection; as stated by Freeman and Garety (2014) in a recent review about persecutory delusion, paranoid ideation can be considered an extension of such concerns.…”

“…"Separation anxiety" measures the level of anxiety that an individual experiences when separated from a significant other. This aspect indicates feelings of uncertainty and vulnerability in interpersonal relationships, with a tendency to be overly sensitive to any threat to the integrity of interpersonal bonds (Boyce & Parker, 1989).…”

“…To measure interpersonal sensitivity, we used the Italian version of IPSM (Boyce & Parker, 1989), a 36-item selfreport questionnaire. Self-statements are rated on a 4-point scale (1 = very unlike self, 4 = very like self ).…”

“…Few studies have focussed on personality traits of victims of bullying; some psychological researchers showed that adolescents who experienced bullying victimization are more likely to be introverted and have low self-esteem (Arseneault et al, 2010;Bond, Carlin, Thomas, Rubin, & Patton, 2001;Fekkes, Pijpers, Fredriks, Vogels, & Verloove-Van-horick, 2006;Kaltiala-Heino, Rimpela, Rantanen, & Rimpela, 2000;Kumpulainen, Rasanen, & Purra, 2001). Interpersonal sensitivity is a personality trait that defines an extreme sensitivity to interpersonal interactions, the constant perception of self-deficiencies in relation to others, the need to behave in such a way as to minimize the risk of negative evaluation and the feeling of having a bothersome core-self that needs to be hidden from others (Boyce & Parker, 1989;Davidson, Giller, Zisook, & Overall, 1988;Davidson, Zisook, Giller, & Helms, 1989). High interpersonal sensitivity has been found to be closely linked to low self-confidence, feelings of insecurity and low self-esteem (Boyce & Parker, 1989).…”

“…Interpersonal sensitivity is a personality trait that defines an extreme sensitivity to interpersonal interactions, the constant perception of self-deficiencies in relation to others, the need to behave in such a way as to minimize the risk of negative evaluation and the feeling of having a bothersome core-self that needs to be hidden from others (Boyce & Parker, 1989;Davidson, Giller, Zisook, & Overall, 1988;Davidson, Zisook, Giller, & Helms, 1989). High interpersonal sensitivity has been found to be closely linked to low self-confidence, feelings of insecurity and low self-esteem (Boyce & Parker, 1989).…”