LE3 .A278 2005

2005

Holmberg, Diane

Acadia University

Master of Science

Masters

Psychology

Psychology

This study examines the connections between women's self-disclosure about their romantic relationships, the nature of feedback received on that self-disclosure (if any), and well-being and subjective benefits. Sixty-one female undergraduate students wrote eight e-mails exploring their deepest thoughts and feelings about their current romantic relationship twice a week, for a period of a month: 21 received no feedback; 40 received feedback from either an anonymous male ('n' = 15) or female ('n' = 16), or their current romantic partner ('n' = 9). Twenty control participants wrote about non-emotional events. Findings include: (1) no physical or mental health improvements associated with relationship self-disclosure; (2) greater subjective benefits for those engaging in relationship self-disclosure; (3) broad similarity in subjective experiences, regardless of feedback condition; and (4) subtle stylistic differences in feedback provided by males versus females, but no differences in overall perceived helpfulness.

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