A Profile of Those Likely to Reveal Friends' Confidential Secrets

Abstract

Using Communication Privacy Management theory as a backdrop, this study empirically addresses the issue of whether personal traits and predispositions can predict the tendencies to either reveal or conceal secrets shared in confidence by a best friend. Participants (N = 375) indicated in response to a survey whether they had ever revealed such a secret to others. The survey also measured several trait-like variables shown to be of theoretical or empirical interest. Results, using discriminant analysis, suggested that a combination of several traits could successfully distinguish those who revealed secrets from those who did not. Significant discriminators included tendency to gossip and depth of disclosure. Implications of the study and suggestions for future research are discussed.

Keywords:

• Communication Privacy Management
• Disclosure
• Friendship
• Secrets
• Traits

Notes

Note. In the case of disclosure only, lower scores translate to more of that particular dimension.

*For mean difference, p < .001.

**For mean difference, p < .05.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Richard S. Bello

Richard S. Bello, Frances E. Brandau-Brown, and J. Donald Ragsdale are Professors in the Department of Communication Studies at Sam Houston State University, where J. Donald Ragsdale is also Chair of the department.