The relations between secrecy, rejection sensitivity and autonomy-connectedness.
The aim of this study was to examine the effects of two attachment-related variables on secrecy: rejection sensitivity and autonomy-connectedness. We hypothesized that rejection sensitivity is positively associated with secrecy, and autonomy-connectedness negatively with rejection sensitivity and secrecy. These hypotheses were generally corroborated in a sample of 303 university students. Moreover, we found that autonomy-connectedness at least partly explained the association between rejection sensitivity and secrecy. Self-awareness was negatively related to secrecy, suggesting that being aware of what one needs and thinks and being able to realize one's needs in social interactions reduce the tendency to keep secrets. In addition, interesting gender effects were found suggesting that men have a higher tendency to have secrets than women after controlling for the effects of autonomy-connectedness and rejection sensitivity. Our findings deepen the insight into possible reasons behind established associations between rejection sensitivity and secrecy, and may have clinical implications.
a Nyenrode Business University.
Andreas A J
AA
Wismeijer
Marcel A L M
MA
Van Assen
Marrie H J
MH
Bekker
D003219:Confidentiality / Q000523:psychology*; D004644:Emotions; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008297:Male; D009769:Object Attachment; D026684:Personal Autonomy; D012059:Rejection, Psychology; D012649:Self Concept; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult
attachment; autonomy-connectedness; rejection sensitivity; secrecy