Strategies and reasons for nondisclosure in close relationships during adolescence

Abstract

Nondisclosure, or keeping information from others, is typically studied within the parent-child relationship. With parents, adolescents may keep secrets to assert independence or avoid punishment or disapproval (Smetana, 2010), and nondisclosure seems to have overall negative implications for individual adjustment (e.g., higher levels of delinquency and depression, as well as lower self-esteem; Engels et al., 2006). However, there is comparatively little research on nondisclosure in the context of other close relationships during adolescence. This thesis will examine strategies and reasons for nondisclosure in the context of multiple close relationships (parents, siblings, best friends, and romantic partners). Data from a longitudinal study consists of 244 adolescents aged 9 to 16 (M = 12.71, SD = 1.66) who completed surveys about their nondisclosure. Results show significant differences in nondisclosure depending on relationship, gender, and type of information kept hidden. Adolescents tended to use nondisclosure strategies more for personal information (e.g., thoughts and feelings). Older and younger siblings lie and partially disclose information in different contexts but show similar patterns for when they use the strategy of only disclosing when asked. Furthermore, adolescents had more reasons to keep information from family members as they got older, and girls are more likely than boys to keep information from their mothers because they feel bad or ashamed. Findings provide a greater understanding of patterns of nondisclosure during adolescence, which may in turn have implications for adolescent adjustment and relationship quality.