Youth Disclosure Research Articles

Developmental Changes in the Relation between Youth Disclosure and Parenting Behavior: A Cohort-sequential Analysis.

To address a gap in the literature regarding the development of youth disclosure across the transition to adolescence, the current research uses a cohort-sequential approach to study youth disclosure from middle childhood through adolescence. Longitudinal data from three cohorts of parents were utilized (N = 1359; children at T1 were in grades 2 [M = 8.00 years, SD = 0.57 years, 45% female], 4 [M = 10.12 years, SD = 0.60 years, 45% female], and 9 [M = 15.19 years, SD = 0.57 years, 48% female]). Parents were assessed annually over a 3-year time period. The focal analyses explored contemporaneous associations between characteristics of the parent-youth relationship (specifically, parental rejection and parental consistent discipline) and youth disclosure after accounting for person-specific trajectories of disclosure. Associations of gender, age, and socioeconomic status with disclosure were also assessed. Regarding trajectories of youth disclosure, results indicate that youth disclose less information to their parents about their daily lives as they get older; this trend was consistent across gender and socioeconomic status. In terms of associations with youth disclosure, when parents provided more consistent discipline or engaged in less rejection of their child, youth disclosure increased, even after accounting for their own trajectory of disclosure across time. In addition, the association of consistent discipline with youth disclosure became stronger with increased youth age. Results are discussed in terms of implications for understanding youth autonomy development, and the dyadic and developmental impact of parenting behaviors over time.

The journey from concealment to disclosure of an obsessive-compulsive disorder diagnosis in the high school setting: A qualitative study exploring youth perspectives

Disclosure of an OCD diagnosis in the high school setting could allow for timely provision of individualized school-based supports. As few studies have examined adolescent perspectives on the disclosure process in schools, we adopted a qualitative approach to explore this, and to gather recommendations for making disclosure of OCD at school safer and more helpful. Twelve participants, ranging from 13 to 17 years old, were recruited using maximum variance-based heterogeneous purposive sampling. Semi-structured interviews were conducted and analyzed inductively through Interpretive Description. From participants’ stories, we generated a theoretical model describing the journey from concealment of an OCD diagnosis to disclosure. Four phases of youth disclosure were identified: managing enacted and perceived stigma related to the diagnosis, internal bargaining to determine their individualized disclosure boundaries, trust building with school members, and empowerment by being treated as a person first. Participants’ recommendations for the school setting included meaningful education, safe spaces, deep reciprocal connections, and confidential personalized support. The model we developed can help inform school disclosure strategies and optimize support to promote best outcomes for youth with OCD.

Adolescent Perspectives on Facilitators and Barriers to Treatment for Opioid Use Disorder

Background and Objective: Although adolescents have been widely impacted by the opioid epidemic, the lack of timely, evidence-based treatment poses a significant barrier to care. Pre-implementation work involving interviewing adolescents to gain their perspectives on opioid use disorder (OUD) treatment is essential for implementing evidence-based practices into new settings. This qualitative evaluation seeks to describe adolescent perspectives on facilitators and barriers to engagement in treatment for OUD.
 Project Methods: Adolescents aged 15-20 living in Indiana who reported use of any non-prescribed opioid in the past 12 months were screened for eligibility and consented. We conducted semi-structured interviews on 6 adolescents and performed qualitative analysis using a grounded theory approach. 3 coders analyzed interview transcripts using NVivo R (QRS International), identifying common themes concerning facilitators and barriers to adolescent disclosure of use, treatment initiation, and engagement in retention in treatment. The Indiana University IRB approved this study.
 Results: Barriers to youth disclosure of use were shame/embarrassment and fear of disappointing significant adults. Treatment initiation barriers included denial of dependence and concerns about withdrawal. Engagement/retention in treatment barriers were perceptions of judgment after relapse and frustration with early stages of treatment. Identified facilitators of disclosure were acceptance of use as a problem and identification of life goals. Treatment initiation facilitators were supportive family members/trusted adults and family financial resources. Facilitators of treatment engagement/retention included positive peer influences and treatment of underlying mental health issues.
 Potential Impact: Facilitators and barriers identified in this qualitative analysis will allow organizations and clinicians to tailor the way they engage and treat youth with OUD based on their specific needs and preferences, allowing for earlier, more effective engagement in treatment. Given the inequitable distribution of treatment for OUD between age groups, this pre-implementation data contributes to the end goal of closing treatment and outcome gaps.

Familism values and Mexican-origin adolescents' disclosure and secrecy with fathers and mothers.

The present study examined familism as a central cultural value that may predict Mexican-origin adolescents' disclosure to and secrecy with mothers and fathers. The data came from 246 Mexican-origin adolescents in the southwestern United States (51% female, Mage = 12.8 years, SD = .58, 38% born in Mexico) and their mothers (Mage = 39.0 years; SD = 4.6) and fathers (Mage = 41.7 years; SD = 5.7). Data were collected at two time points over a 2-year period (90% retention). Cross-lagged panel models examined the longitudinal effects of youth familism on disclosure to and secrecy with mothers and fathers. Results indicated that familism served as a promotive factor for youth information management strategies. Differences in the association between familism and youth disclosure were found by youth gender, highlighting the significance of gender in family dynamics among Mexican-origin families. Discussion focuses on how cultural values such as familism may promote resilience among Mexican-origin adolescents by bolstering parent-child relationships. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved).

Examining a Key Measure of Youth Disclosure to Parents for Measurement Invariance Across Time and Reporters

Examining a Key Measure of Youth Disclosure to Parents for Measurement Invariance Across Time and Reporters

The Role of Participant Immigrant Background and Gender in Middle School Youth’s Responses to Actual and Hypothetical Experiences of Bias-Based Bullying

The present study draws on socio-cultural theories and socio-cognitive theories as guiding frameworks to examine responses to bias-based bullying among 481 middle school youth (49% female; 15% immigrant; 36% minoritized ethnicity). Based on student self-report data, we examined: (1) whether middle-schoolers response strategies’ from the perspective of the victim being excluded or bullied varied across three hypothetical bias-based bullying scenarios based on participant’s immigrant background and gender and by target victim’s ethnic im/migrant background (e.g. Arab, Latinx, Black); and (2) whether youth disclosure of actual bullying experiences (i.e. to whom they disclosed their bullying experience) differed by their immigrant background and gender. Findings revealed that none of the immigrant girls reported that they would hit the excluder from the perspective of the Latina hypothetical victim compared to when the hypothetical victim was Black and Arab. In response to their actual experiences, immigrant girls were least likely to tell anyone (e.g. peer, teacher, or parent) if they were bullied at school. Results highlight the importance of fostering family and school administration awareness of bullying victimization and the creation of culturally sensitive school interventions and policies for reporting and preventing the bullying victimization of immigrant children, particularly for immigrant girls.

Parent-adolescent relationship quality as a moderator of links between COVID-19 disruption and reported changes in mothers' and young adults' adjustment in five countries.

The COVID-19 pandemic has presented families around the world with extraordinary challenges related to physical and mental health, economic security, social support, and education. The current study capitalizes on a longitudinal, cross-national study of parenting, adolescent development, and young adult competence to document the association between personal disruption during the pandemic and reported changes in internalizing and externalizing behavior in young adults and their mothers since the pandemic began. It further investigates whether family functioning during adolescence 3 years earlier moderates this association. Data from 484 families in five countries (Italy, the Philippines, Sweden, Thailand, and the United States) reveal that higher levels of reported disruption during the pandemic are related to reported increases in internalizing and externalizing behaviors after the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic for young adults (Mage = 20) and their mothers in all five countries, with the exception of one association in Thailand. Associations between disruption during the pandemic and young adults' and their mothers' reported increases in internalizing and externalizing behaviors were attenuated by higher levels of youth disclosure, more supportive parenting, and lower levels of destructive adolescent-parent conflict prior to the pandemic. This work has implications for fostering parent-child relationships characterized by warmth, acceptance, trust, open communication, and constructive conflict resolution at all times given their protective effects for family resilience during times of crisis. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2021 APA, all rights reserved).

Understanding Factors Associated With Intimate Disclosure Between Black Youth and Nonparental Familial Adults.

Self-disclosure is an important relational process during adolescence. Given that Black adolescents contend with developmental changes and contextual risks, they may stand to benefit greatly from disclosing personal information to supportive nonparental adults. This qualitative study explored factors associated with youth intimate disclosure among 24 dyads of Black youth and their adult relatives. Analyses identified four types of adult behaviors associated with youth intimate disclosure: (1) setting the tone for youth disclosure, (2) expressing interest in youth well-being, (3) supportive engagement during disclosure, and (4) acting on youths' disclosure. Findings suggest that when adult relatives demonstrate interest and attunement to youths' needs, youth may feel more motivated to disclose. Implications for adults interested in supporting Black youths' disclosure are discussed.

Silence After Stops? Assessing Youth Disclosure of Police Encounters.

Youth-police encounters are common in the United States, with potentially serious mental health ramifications requiring social supports to cope. Still, no research has examined youth disclosure of these experiences to others. Using a national sample of youth stopped by police (N = 918; 56.09% Black, 20.48% Hispanic), we find that more than two-thirds disclosed police encounters-most commonly to mothers. Even so, disclosure became less likely as perceptions of procedural injustice, social stigma, and legal cynicism increased. Among youth who disclosed stops but not to parents, disclosure to friends was common (61.18%), whereas disclosure to nonparent adults was not. Enhanced training for teachers, school counselors, and community leaders may improve youth outcomes by facilitating additional opportunities for disclosure and support.

CYBERAGGRESSION: THE EFFECT OF PARENTAL MONITORING ON BYSTANDER ROLES

The digital world has created new opportunities for aggression through cyberaggression. Despite growing research interest in cyberaggression, little is known about the various bystander roles in the digital interaction. This paper examines the effect of parental monitoring practices (parental restriction, youth disclosure, and parental solicitation) on five bystander roles: aggressor-supporter, defender, help-seeker, outsider, and passive bystander. Data were derived from self-report questionnaires answered by a sample of 501 adolescents in Israel. The findings indicate that adolescents who share their experiences of cyberaggression with their parents are more likely than others to defend the cybervictim. Interaction effects were found between adolescent gender, installing warning applications, parent gender, and the aggressor-supporter role. Boys whose parents installed warning applications and whose fathers monitored their online activities were positively associated with the aggressor-supporter role, while girls who were higher aggressor-supporter reported that their parents used warning applications but did not monitor their online activities. The discussion focuses on the theoretical and practical implications of the effectiveness of parental monitoring on the cyberaggression bystander’s role.

Parental Academic Involvement and Youth Well-Being in Post-Divorce Families

ABSTRACT Using data from 340 divorced parents (58.2% mothers) with a child between 10- and 18-years-old, we tested if parental academic involvement was associated with youth post-divorce well-being. Results demonstrated that mothers’ academic involvement was associated with less youth internalizing and externalizing behavior. Additionally, fathers’ academic involvement was associated with less youth externalizing behavior. We also tested if parental warmth, youth disclosure, and/or parent-youth contact moderated any associations between parental academic involvement and youth well-being. There were no significant moderation effects, however, parental warmth and youth disclosure were associated with greater prosocial behavior, but less internalizing and externalizing behavior by youth.

Gender expansive youth disclosure and mental health: Clinical implications of gender identity disclosure.

Some healthcare providers work with gender expansive youth, and preliminary evidence notes that many of these youth do not disclose their gender identity to all of their healthcare providers. No previous research focused on youth has explored gender identity disclosure to healthcare providers, nor linked youth disclosure to negative mental health outcomes (e.g., symptoms of depression). Data were drawn from the LGBTQ National Teen Survey in order to test the relationship between gender identity disclosure, symptoms of depression, and self-esteem among 5,637 13- to 17-year old (M age = 15.6) participants who identified as transgender boys, transgender girls, non-binary youth who were assigned female at birth (AFAB), or assigned male non-binary youth who were assigned male at birth (AMAB). Transgender boys reported the highest symptoms of depression and the lowest levels of self-esteem in comparison to other groups. Among the full sample, 66.8% had not disclosed their gender identity healthcare providers-non-binary AMAB youth were least likely to disclose (77.6%). Symptoms of depression were the highest and self-esteem was the lowest for transgender boys with mixed levels of disclosure. Transgender girls reported the lowest symptoms of depression - these youth had also disclosed their identities the most. Findings suggest that mixed disclosure to healthcare providers is problematic for gender expansive youth, especially transgender boys. Findings suggest a need to better prepare health professionals to understand not all gender expansive youth may feel comfortable disclosing their gender identities in medical contexts. Future research should explore gender affirmative healthcare as a potential protective factor in combatting negative mental health outcomes.

Transgender Youth's Disclosure of Gender Identity to Providers Outside of Specialized Gender Centers

PurposeTransgender youth face significant health disparities and multiple barriers to receiving quality health care. Gender identity disclosure to health care providers (HCPs) is an important step in creating affirming relationships for transgender youth. The objectives of this study were to (1) determine the prevalence of voluntary disclosure and intentional avoidance to HCPs outside of gender clinics, (2) identify factors associated with voluntary disclosure and intentional avoidance, and (3) elucidate strategies to increase comfort with disclosure. MethodsA cross-sectional survey was administered to transgender youth aged 12–26 years. Bivariate analyses were conducted using χ2 or Fisher's exact tests. Two logistic regression models for each outcome variable were used to examine factors associated with voluntary disclosure and intentional avoidance. ResultsTwo thirds (65%) of youth (N = 153) identified as transmasculine, and 57% were under 18 years. Three-quarters (78%) had voluntarily disclosed their gender identity to an HCP outside of gender clinic, whereas 46% had intentionally avoided disclosure. Odds ratios (ORs) of ever having disclosed were lower for participants ≥18 years (OR = .33; 95% confidence interval [CI]: .11–.98), those out to fewer people (OR = .12; 95% CI: .02–.81) and out for <1 year (OR = .03; 95% CI: .004–.31). Odds of intentional avoidance were lower among youth with higher perceived parental support (OR = .83; 95% CI: .70–.98). ConclusionA majority of transgender youth reported having voluntarily disclosed their gender identity to an HCP outside of gender clinic, but almost half reported having intentionally avoided disclosure when they felt it was important. Parental support may play a protective role in mitigating avoidance.

Creating Space for Youth Voice: Implications of Youth Disclosure Experiences for Youth-Centered Research

This paper examines youth’s disclosure experiences within the context of chronic illness, drawing on examples from IN•GAUGE, an on-going research program led by Dr. Roberta L. Woodgate. Youth’s descriptions of their disclosure experiences provide valuable insights into the ways in which they use their voice in everyday life. This examination of the disclosure experiences of youth offers a lens through which the concept of youth voice in the research process can be understood and youth’s agency foregrounded. We present implications for researchers, ethics boards, funding agencies, and others who engage in youth-centered research, and offer alternative terminology to use in characterizing the elicitation and dissemination of youth voice in the research process. We contend that conceptualizing such efforts as giving youth voice has the potential to discredit the significant agency and autonomy that youth demonstrate in sharing their stories, perspectives, and opinions within the research context. We advocate for the adoption of the phrase of providing or creating space for youth voice, as one alternative to the phrase giving youth voice

Parental active tracking measures and health behaviors during high school and college

Objective: This study developed and tested new measures of youth perceptions of parental active efforts to track their activities during adolescence and college. Participants and Methods: Between March and October 2016, a sample of 314 college students aged 18–25 completed a survey including their perceptions of their parent’s active tracking efforts during high school and college. Items were then analyzed, and internally consistent measures were derived. Results: The new measures demonstrated significant convergent validity with the three sources of parental knowledge constructs (parental solicitation, parental control, and youth disclosure). Greater perceived parental active tracking efforts during adolescence and in college were associated with better health behaviors in both time periods. Conclusions: The newly derived measures represent appropriate and predictive indices of parental tracking behaviors during adolescence and college, designed specifically with these populations in mind, to be used in pre-intervention and intervention work with parents.

Mindful Parenting, Parenting Cognitions, and Parent-Youth Communication: Bidirectional Linkages and Mediational Processes.

Mindful parenting and parenting cognitions likely have important linkages to each other and to parent-child communication, but these linkages have not been tested. In this article, we test the bidirectional linkages between mindful parenting and parenting cognitions (sense of competence, parent-centered attributions) and the underlying mediational processes that link them to parent-child communication (parental solicitation and youth disclosure). Longitudinal, autoregressive cross-lagged models were run within a longitudinal sample of rural and suburban early adolescents and their mothers (n = 421; mean adolescent age = 12.14, 46% male, 73% white). Significant bidirectional linkages were found between mindful parenting and parenting cognitions across Time 1 and Time 2. Greater mindful parenting at Time 1 was associated with more positive parenting cognitions (e.g., greater perceptions of parental competence and fewer negative parent-centered attributions or self-blame) at Time 2. More positive parenting cognitions at Time 1 were also associated with greater levels of mindful parenting at Time 2. Mindful parenting at Time 2 mediated the association between parenting cognitions (both parent-centered attributions and sense of competence) at Time 1 and parental solicitation at Time 3. Mindful parenting and parenting cognitions influence each other over time. Parenting cognitions can affect parental solicitation via increases in mindful parenting. The discussion focuses on potential underlying processes.

86. Transgender Youth's Disclosure of Gender Identity To Providers Outside of Specialized Gender Centers

86. Transgender Youth's Disclosure of Gender Identity To Providers Outside of Specialized Gender Centers

Youth Disclosure of Sexual Orientation to Siblings and Extended Family.

To explore the processes and experiences associated with disclosing sexual orientation to siblings and extended family. Few studies prioritize the experience of disclosing to siblings and extended family, despite its frequency and potential impact on the family unit. Extended family members often act as sources of support for youth; it is therefore worthwhile to consider whether this remains true during and after disclosure of sexual orientation. Interview and questionnaire data were gathered from 22 lesbian, gay, bisexual, and queer (LGBQ) youth, 14 to 21 years of age, from a large Midwestern city. Constructivist grounded theory informed the qualitative methodology and data analysis. We build on concepts of horizontal and vertical family relationships by also introducing the concept of diagonal relationships. Participants described their relationships with aunts as possessing characteristics of horizontal and vertical relationships, allowing them to act as moderators and mediators of the parent-child relationship. The concepts of vertical, horizontal, and diagonal relationships take into consideration how the structure (e.g., hierarchy, egalitarianism, boundaries) and nature (e.g., closeness, reciprocity, mentorship) of various relationships shape the coming-out process for LGBQ youth, without dismissing the importance of either immediate or extended family members. The emerging conceptualization can guide services and interventions as well as illuminate further research on the family systems of LGBQ youth.

Youth Disclosure About Friendships Across the Transition to Middle School

This longitudinal qualitative investigation considered youth disclosure to parents about friends as well as parents’ responses to such disclosure across the transition to middle school. African American and European American youth participated in qualitative interviews regarding their disclosure to parents about friendships in three consecutive years spanning the transition to middle school. Coding was completed in a two-step process that started with identifying themes regarding disclosure about friends as they reflected the experiences of all youth. Second, global categorizations of disclosure patterns during each year were used to categorize participants into four groups: stable complete disclosers, stable partial disclosures, increasing disclosers, and decreasing disclosers. We then identified themes regarding disclosure about friends as they distinguished these disclosure groups. Findings indicated that adolescent disclosure to parents about friends is embedded within the nature of adolescents’ relationships with parents and the manner in which parents respond to adolescent disclosure episodes across time.

Adults’ perceptions about whether children should disclose their mental illness

PurposeDisclosure of mental illness is a key ingredient in contact-based public stigma change strategies. Adults who disclose their personal recovery story experience greater empowerment and heightened quality of life. Qualitative research suggests youth may similarly benefit, but also have unique benefits and costs associated with disclosure. The purpose of this paper is to examine adults’ perceived costs and benefits of mental illness disclosure for middle and high school students with a new measure, the Coming Out with Mental Illness Scale for Children (COMIS-Child).Design/methodology/approachIn total, 300 adult participants from Amazon’s MTurk completed the COMIS-Child, the Beliefs about Disclosure Scale (BDS), assessing perceptions about child disclosure, and the Attribution Questionnaire, assessing public stigma.FindingsPrincipal component analyses of the COMIS-Child yielded one factor representing disclosure costs and two factors for benefits (changing pubic stigma; person-defined benefits). Internal consistencies of the COMIS-Child factors were strong. Parents with children with mental illness endorsed more costs and fewer benefits from the changing public stigma factor than other respondents. Regression analyses showed decisions about youth disclosing mental illness from the BDS were associated with perceived costs, perceived benefits as personally defined, and public stigma. Disclosure beliefs were also inversely associated with public stigma.Social implicationsAdults who identify more costs and fewer benefits were less likely to believe youth should disclose, favoring a more conservative approach to youth disclosure. This highlights the importance of participating in self-stigma interventions that guide an individual’s decision making about disclosure.Originality/valueTo the author’s knowledge, this is the first study examining adults’ perceptions of youth disclosure of mental illness.