https://doi.org/10.1177/1368430217695443 Group Processes & Intergroup Relations 1–16 © The Author(s) 2017 Reprints and permissions: sagepub.co.uk/journalsPermissions.nav DOI: 10.1177/1368430217695443 journals.sagepub.com/home/gpi G P I R Group Processes & Intergroup Relations The short-term effects of rejection on state self- esteem, negative affect, and hurt feelings have been examined in many laboratory experiments. These studies generally find that rejection causes an immediate decrease in feelings of personal adequacy and self-esteem (Leary, Tambor, Terdal, & Downs, 1995; Zadro, Williams, & Richardson, 2004), increases negative affect (Buckley, Winkel, & Leary, 2004; van Beest & Williams, 2006), diminishes people’s sense of control and mean- ing (Williams, Cheung, & Choi, 2000; Zadro et al., 2004), and activates some of the same regions of the brain as physical pain, possibly explaining why people feel hurt by rejection (Eisenberger & Lieberman, 2004; MacDonald & A lasting sting: Examining the short-term and long-term effects of real-life group rejection Julie L. Martin, 1 Laura Smart Richman, 1 and Mark R. Leary 1 Abstract Although many studies have examined the short-term effects of rejection in laboratory settings, few have investigated the impact of rejection over time or in real-world contexts. The university sorority recruitment process offers a unique opportunity to address these shortcomings. Women participating in sorority recruitment were surveyed directly before recruitment, directly after recruitment, and 3 months later. Rejected women experienced decreases in all indicators of well-being directly after recruitment and did not return to baseline on depressive symptoms, positive mental health, satisfaction with life, perceived belonging, or perceived social status 3 months later. Accepted women showed no long-term changes in well-being, with the exception that happiness and perceived social status increased from baseline. A comparison group of women who did not participate in sorority recruitment showed no significant long-term changes in well-being. Perceived belonging, but not social status, significantly mediated the long-term emotional effects of rejection. These results document that rejection experiences can have long-lasting effects. Keywords applied social psychology, belonging, rejection, well-being Paper received 19 May 2016; revised version accepted 30 January 2017. 1 Duke University, NC, USA Corresponding author: Julie Martin, Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Duke University, 417 Chapel Dr., Box 90086, Durham, NC 27708, USA. Email: julie.martin@duke.edu 695443GPI 0 0 10.1177/1368430217695443Group Processes & Intergroup RelationsMartin et al. research-article 2017 Article