Experimental disclosure and its moderators: a meta-analysis.
Disclosing information, thoughts, and feelings about personal and meaningful topics (experimental disclosure) is purported to have various health and psychological consequences (e.g., J. W. Pennebaker, 1993). Although the results of 2 small meta-analyses (P. G. Frisina, J. C. Borod, & S. J. Lepore, 2004; J. M. Smyth, 1998) suggest that experimental disclosure has a positive and significant effect, both used a fixed effects approach, limiting generalizability. Also, a plethora of studies on experimental disclosure have been completed that were not included in the previous analyses. One hundred forty-six randomized studies of experimental disclosure were collected and included in the present meta-analysis. Results of random effects analyses indicate that experimental disclosure is effective, with a positive and significant average r-effect size of .075. In addition, a number of moderators were identified.
Frattaroli
Joanne
J
Department of Psychology, University of California, Riverside, CA, USA. jfrattaroli@yahoo.com
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological / Q000502:physiology; D000328:Adult; D001294:Attitude to Health; D030881:Disclosure / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D019260:Expressed Emotion / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008016:Life Change Events; D008297:Male; D008603:Mental Health / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012650:Self Disclosure; D013997:Time Factors; D014956:Writing