Self disclosure and self criticism in adolescents

Abstract

Background

The purpose of the study was to examine the relationship between self-disclosure and self-criticis, positive and negative life events, social support, and a number of well-being and distress variables.

Methods

Fifty-one adolescents suffering from emotional difficulties and 47 healthy adolescents participated in the study. The following questionnaires were administered to the subjects: Major Life Events Questionnaire, Minor Life Events Questionnaire, Self-Disclosure Questionnaire, Self-Criticism Questionnaire, Social Support Questionnaire, Depressive symptoms questionnaire, Mood questionnaire and demographic questionnaire.

Results

The study group was characterized by a greater number of major negative life events, a lower level of social support, and a higher level of distress indexes. In the whole sample a positive relation was found between life events and the social network size, and also between positive life events and self-disclosure level and between it and satisfaction from social support. We also found a positive relationship between the negative life events and some of the distress indexes. In addition, there were gender differences in self-disclosure: the girls were more willing to disclose themselves to a close friend in comparison to the boys. A negative relationship was found between self-criticism and social network size. Moreover, self-criticism was related positively to suicidal tendency indexes and was negatively related to positive mood. Finally, a negative relationship was found between social support and some of the distress indexes.

Conclusions

The results of the study confirmed most of the research hypotheses. The theoretical and clinical implications of the study are discussed, as well its strengths and limitations.