SELF-DISCLOSURE PARADOX: THE CONTEXTUAL REQUIREMENTS FOR THE RELATIONSHIP OF SELF-DISCLOSURE AND SELF-DISCLOSURE FLEXIBILITY WITH PERSONAL GROWTH IN YOUNG ADULTS

Abstract

The present study was undertaken to a) assess the relationship of self-disclosure and disclosure flexibility with personal growth, b) examine differences in the personal growth of individuals with low and high self-disclosure flexibility, and lastly, c) determine the interactive effect of self-disclosure and disclosure on personal growth among young adults. The sample for the study comprised 75 male and 75 female university students with an age range of 20 to 24 years. Results revealed that relative to self-disclosure, personal growth was significantly related to self-disclosure flexibility. As expected, the low flexibility disclosure group reported higher personal growth than the high flexibility disclosure group. In addition, a non-significant interaction was observed between self-disclosure and disclosure flexibility. In conclusion, the results emphasize the stronger contribution of self-disclosure flexibility in the personal growth of young adults.