Gender differences in affective responses to sexual rejection

The aim of this study was to answer the following questions: (1) Are affective responses to sexual rejection different for men and women? (2) Do positive emotions to sexual rejection occur and how do they balance with negative emotions? (3) How can gender differences in affective responses to sexual rejection be explained? A sample of 67 men and 65 women (age 18-30 years) completed a questionnaire in which they rated their affective responses to a hypothetical situation of sexual rejection. Analyses of variance revealed gender differences: men anticipated a less negative and more positive affective response to sexual rejection than women did. Men also reported they would experience a more positive than negative affective response after supposedly being sexually rejected. Hierarchical multiple regression analyses showed that differences between men and women were mediated by the respondents' expectations in the stimulus situation, their interest in casual sex, and their masculinity.