2020 Theses Doctoral

The Disclosure of Sensitive Information

Moulton, Elizabeth Edythe

The real-life disclosure of sensitive information is associated with intra- and interpersonal benefits in the disclosure literature, but the current work suggests it is often associated with regret. In Chapter 1, an overview is provided of the disclosure literature, and common constructs across sub-disciplines are identified and categorized on select attributes. A general process model of disclosure is proposed. Chapter 2 features empirical examination of factors that contribute to regret following the disclosure of sensitive information. Across five survey-based studies, the qualities of 11,854 disclosures from 974 participants are correlated with participants' reports of post-disclosure regret and gladness. Specific qualities of disclosure are identified that are associated with post-disclosure regret, including that people disclose unintentionally. Conclusions from these studies suggest that planning the disclosure of sensitive information is associated with less post-disclosure regret.