Predicting Social Rejection Based on Perceived Stress and Loneliness with the Mediation of Social Skills in Generation Z Adolescents

Objective: The objective of this study was to model social rejection in Generation Z adolescents based on perceived stress and loneliness, with the mediating role of social skills. Methods and Materials: This descriptive-correlational study using structural equation modeling (SEM) was conducted on 251 high school students from districts 8, 9, and 10 in Tehran during the 2024–2025 academic year. Participants were selected through multi-stage cluster sampling. Data were collected using the Social Isolation Questionnaire, the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), the short form of the Social and Emotional Loneliness Scale for Adults (SELSA-S), and the Teenage Inventory of Social Skills (TISS). Descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation coefficients, and SEM analysis were conducted using SPSS-24 and AMOS-24 software. Model fit indices and bootstrapping procedures were used to assess the significance of direct and indirect paths and the mediating role of social skills. Findings: The results showed that perceived stress (β = -0.34, p < .001) and social skills (β = -0.29, p < .001) had significant negative direct effects on social rejection, while loneliness (β = 0.36, p < .001) had a significant positive direct effect. Perceived stress (β = -0.34, p < .001) and loneliness (β = -0.29, p < .001) also had significant negative effects on social skills. Bootstrapping analysis revealed that social skills significantly mediated the effects of both perceived stress and loneliness on social rejection (indirect β = -0.28 and -0.29, respectively, p < .01). The model showed good fit based on RMSEA = 0.046 and other indices (NFI, IFI, CFI, GFI ≥ 0.90). Conclusion: Perceived stress and loneliness significantly predict social rejection in Generation Z adolescents, while social skills reduce its impact both directly and indirectly. Enhancing adolescents' social skills may serve as a protective factor against social rejection and improve their psychological well-being.