Transcript Culture Effects on the Health Benefits of Personal

Cultural Effects on the
Health Benefits of
Personal Disclosure
Jessica Wearing
Mentor: Dr. Eric Knowles
University of California, Irvine
Outline
Background: The Benefits of Personal
Disclosure
Background: Disclosure Theories and
Relevant Cultural Comparisons
Study Question and Hypothesis
Methods
Findings
Conclusions
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.
Methods
Baseline Observation
SMU Health Questionnaire
Pittsburg Sleep Quality Index
Depression Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS
21)
Demographics
Asian Identity Scale
Methods: Writing Prompts
Experimental Condition
For 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 Condition
For 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.
Methods
Follow-Up Observation
SMU Health Questionnaire
Pittsburg Sleep Quality Index
Depression Anxiety and Stress Scale
(DASS 21)
Demographics
7%
44%
49%
Asian
Caucasian
Hispanic
Findings: LIWC Analysis
by Condition
5
4
% of
words in
category
3
Trivial
Traumatic
2
1
0
Negative Emotion
Category
Insight
Findings: Effect of Condition on
Follow-up Data
5
4.5
4
3.5
3
2.5
2
1.5
1
0.5
0
# of
symptoms
reported at
follow-up
Experimental
Control
marginally significant effect
p=.06
Findings: Cultural Differences in
the # of Follow-up Symptoms
# of symptoms at follow-up
6
5
4
3
Control
Experimental
2
1
0
Caucasian
NonWest ernized
A sian
West ernized
A sian
Conclusions
Due 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. Knowles
Dr. Frattaroli
Dr. Jenness
SE Honors Classmates