Influence of Self-esteem, Closeness of Relationship and Gender on Self-disclosure

Abstract

This study investigated the influence of self-esteem, closeness of relationships and gender on self-disclosure. One hundred and fifty-three students (81 males and 72 females) of Caritas University with a mean age of 19.54 years participated in the study. The instruments used to measure the variables were the modified version of the Marital Self Disclosure Questionnaire (MSDQ) (Waring, Holden, & Wesley, 1998) and the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (Morris & Rosenberg, 1965) and the Closeness of Relationship Scale, developed by the researchers. The research adopted a survey design and the data were analyzed using ANOVA statistics. The results indicated that self-disclosure and gender influenced self-disclosure among young people. There was no significant influence of self-esteem on self-disclosure. The results also showed an interaction between gender and closeness of relationship on self-disclosure.