title: Associations between individual and relationship characteristics and genital herpes disclosure.
abstract: Disclosure is often a challenge for individuals living with genital herpes. This study explores determinants of genital herpes disclosure with one's most recent sexual partner using an online questionnaire (n = 93). The majority of participants reported (80.4%) disclosure. Among non-disclosers, fear of negative partner reactions was the primary reason for non-disclosure. Age, relationship commitment, time in relationship, and expectations of partner's reaction were statistically significant predictors at the bivariate level. Reaction expectations and relationship commitment remained significant in the multivariate logistic regression model. Findings indicate that future disclosure research should focus on relationship context and managing negative expectations to increase disclosure.
authors: Monmouth University, USA jmyers@monmouth.edu.
authors: Jaime L
authors: JL
authors: Myers
authors: San Diego State University, USA.
authors: Eric R
authors: ER
authors: Buhi
authors: University of South Florida, USA.
authors: Stephanie
authors: S
authors: Marhefka
authors: University of South Florida, USA.
authors: Ellen
authors: E
authors: Daley
authors: University of South Florida, USA.
authors: Robert
authors: R
authors: Dedrick
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006558:Herpes Genitalis / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012650:Self Disclosure; D012747:Sexual Partners / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014342:Truth Disclosure; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: disclosure; genital herpes; herpes simplex virus; interpersonal relationships; stigma