What is Positive Disclosure and to Whom do We Disclose? The Role of Topics Gender and Type of Relationship in Positive Self-Disclosure

This study examined what topics (including experiences, feelings, and thoughts) people define as positive self-disclosure. The study also looked at reasons people generate for self-disclosing versus not disclosing something positive. Male and female students spontaneously described a past experience or feeling they perceive to be personal and positive. They then indicated whether or not they disclosed about these experiences or feelings to their father, mother, same-sex friend, and a past or present significant other/spouse. These descriptions were coded into one of eight categories: Religion, Family Development, Friendship, Sex, Romance, Self-Confidence, Achievement, and Helping Behavior, plus a Miscellaneous category. There were no gender differences in the self-descriptions provided by the participants and no gender differences in the frequency of disclosure of these positive self-descriptions. This study also examined differences in disclosure about various positive topics as a function of type of relationship. Disclosure generally was highest to a same-sex friend and dating partner, intermediate to a mother, and least common to a father.