When self-disclosure goes awry: Negative consequences of revealing personal failures for lower self-esteem individuals |
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| Authors: | Jessica J. Cameron John G. Holmes |
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| Affiliation: | a University of Manitoba, Department of Psychology, 190 Dysart Road, Winnipeg, Man., Canada R3T 2N2
b University of Waterloo, Department of Psychology, 200 University Avenue West, N2L 3G1, Canada |
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| Abstract: | Despite the potential benefits of self-disclosure, individuals with lower self-esteem (LSEs) tend to avoid self-revelations. The present study investigated the role of self-esteem in predicting detrimental responses to the disclosure of a personal failure. We employed a novel experimental design where all participants experienced a lab-induced stressor (failure feedback on a competence test) and half were randomly assigned to disclose this information to their dating partner. In contrast to LSEs who concealed the personal failure, LSEs who disclosed the failure reported several negative consequences that may further contribute to relationship-based distress. However, individuals higher in self-esteem (HSEs) benefitted from disclosing the personal failure in comparison to LSEs who disclosed and HSEs who concealed the failure. We discuss the consequences of disclosing personal failures to partners for HSEs and LSEs. |
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| Keywords: | Self-esteem Self-disclosure Social support Reflected appraisals Perceived regard Closeness |
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