Adolescent Self-Disclosure and Loneliness Private Self-Consciousness and Parental Influences

• Published in: Journal of personality and social psychology Vol. 48; no. 3; pp. 768 - 780
• Main Authors: Franzoi, Stephen L, Davis, Mark H
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Washington, DC American Psychological Association 01-03-1985
• Subjects: Adolescent; Biological and medical sciences; Developmental psychology; Female; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Gender Identity; Human; Humans; Interpersonal Relations; Loneliness; Male; Parent Child Relations; Peer Group; Peer Relations; Psychology. Psychoanalysis. Psychiatry; Psychology. Psychophysiology; Self Concept; Self Disclosure; Social Isolation; Human; Social development; Social influence; Social perception; Peer relation; Ego consciousness; Social interaction; Social isolation; Adolescent; Family environment; Self disclosure; Personality development
• ISSN: 0022-3514; 1939-1315
• DOI: 10.1037/0022-3514.48.3.768

Using structural equation techniques, we tested a theoretical model designed to describe the causal relations existing among loneliness, self-disclosure to peers and parents, and specific antecedent variables. Participants were 350 high-school students who answered questions concerning themselves and their interpersonal relationships. Results generally indicated a good fit between the theoretical model and the observed relations. In addition to replicating the findings of previous studies concerning the relation between self-disclosure and loneliness, results also indicated an indirect relation between private self-consciousness and loneliness via peer self-disclosure; that is, high private self-conscious adolescents' greater willingness to self-disclose to peers resulted in their feeling less lonely. Results are discussed in terms of current theory in related fields.