An examination of willingness to self-disclose in women with bulimic symptoms considering the context of disclosure and negative affect levels.
OBJECTIVE
This study explored the relationship between bulimic symptoms and self-disclosure. It examined whether women who reported greater bulimic symptomatology were generally less willing to self-disclose in intimate relationships or whether reluctance to disclose was confined to eating and weight concerns.


METHODS
Women with high and low scores on the Bulimia Test Revised (BULIT-R) were compared on self-disclosure about three topics (daily activities, eating, and weight) and sexual and relationship issues to three targets (mother, friend, and partner).


RESULTS
There were significant main and interaction effects for BULIT-R score, target, and topic of self-disclosure. When depression was controlled for, it partially explained the association between bulimic behavior and self-disclosure.


CONCLUSIONS
Results supported a contextual model of self-disclosure. Compared with nonbulimic women, women with bulimic symptoms were less willing to self-disclose certain topics to particular targets. Levels of depression explained low willingness to disclose on topics unrelated to eating and weight to some targets.
Evans
Lynette
L
School of Psychological Science, La Trobe University, Bundoora, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. l.evans@latrobe.edu.au
Wertheim
Eleanor H
EH
D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D002032:Bulimia / Q000523:psychology*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003863:Depression / Q000150:complications* / Q000523:psychology; D005163:Factor Analysis, Statistical; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D009034:Mother-Child Relations; D012650:Self Disclosure; D012747:Sexual Partners