Outline
description
Transcript of Outline
Cultural Effects on the Health Benefits of
Personal Disclosure
Jessica WearingMentor: Dr. Eric Knowles
University of California, Irvine
OutlineBackground: The Benefits of Personal
DisclosureBackground: Disclosure Theories and
Relevant Cultural ComparisonsStudy Question and HypothesisMethodsFindingsConclusions
Background: The Benefits of Personal Disclosure
1. What is personal disclosure?
2. What are the benefits associated with personal disclosure?
3. Are the benefits the same across cultures?
Background: Disclosure Theories and Relevant Cultural
Comparisons Disclosure Theories
Social Integration Theory Cognitive Processing Theory Disinhibition Theory Self-regulation Theory Exposure Theory
Cultural differences in the demands of speech Cultural differences in social support seeking
Study Question and Hypothesis
Question: Are the health benefits observed in relation to personal disclosure a function of basic human nature, or are they culturally bound?
Hypothesis: As a group, East Asians will be less likely to benefit from personal disclosure than their Western counterparts.
MethodsBaseline Observation
SMU Health QuestionnairePittsburg Sleep Quality IndexDepression Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS
21)Demographics Asian Identity Scale
Methods: Writing PromptsExperimental ConditionFor the next 20 minutes, I would like for you to write
about your very deepest thoughts and feelings about the most traumatic experience of your entire life . . .
Control ConditionFor the next 20 minutes, please write about your day so
far. Focus on topics such as the weather, your routine, and minor happenings. Try to avoid emotional commentary.
MethodsFollow-Up Observation
SMU Health QuestionnairePittsburg Sleep Quality IndexDepression Anxiety and Stress Scale
(DASS 21)
Demographics
44%49%
7%
AsianCaucasianHispanic
Findings: LIWC Analysis by Condition
0
1
2
3
4
5
Negative Emotion Insight
Category
% of words in category
TrivialTraumatic
Findings: Effect of Condition on Follow-up Data
marginally significant effectp=.06
00.5
11.5
22.5
33.5
44.5
5
Experimental Control
# ofsymptomsreported atfollow-up
Findings: Cultural Differences in the # of Follow-up Symptoms
0
1
2
3
4
5
6#
of
sym
ptom
s at
fol
low
-up
Caucasian Non-Westernized
Asian
WesternizedAsian
ControlExperimental
ConclusionsDue to the insufficient sample size,
firm conclusions cannot be reached, however, there is sufficient evidence to question the cultural universality of disclosure benefits.
Thank You!Dr. KnowlesDr. FrattaroliDr. JennessSE Honors Classmates