Theoretical Antecedents of Distress Disclosure in a Community Sample of Young People1

Abstract

The Distress Disclosure Index (Kahn & Hessling, 2001) measures the tendency to disclose psychological distress and is important in understanding psychological well‐being, interpersonal relationships, and help seeking. This paper used the disclosure decision model (Omarzu, 2000) to explore the theoretical antecedents of distress disclosure. Results of a community‐based survey of 17–18‐year‐olds in South Wales (United Kingdom), suggesting that private self‐consciousness, social support, and femininity were associated with higher distress disclosure. Shame was associated with lower distress disclosure. Moderating effects of gender and gender identity were also explored. Social support and femininity both interacted with gender to predict distress disclosure. The results suggest a number of interventions to increase distress disclosure in young men and women.