Latent-Trait Latent-Class Analysis of Self-Disclosure in the Work Environment

Based on the literature about self-disclosure, it was hypothesized that different groups of subjects differ in their pattern of self-disclosure with respect to different areas of social interaction. An extended latent-trait latent-class model was proposed to describe these general patterns of self-disclosure. The model was used to analyze the data of 1,113 subjects, tested on extraversion and with respect to their degree of self-disclosure toward different categories of people in the work environment. A model with one latent trait and a latent class variable with three categories was identified. Subjects belonging to the different latent classes differ in their general tendency to self-disclose, in their choice to whom they will show self-disclosure and in the degree to which they are selective in their self-disclosure. The collateral variable extraversion was associated with both latent variables. The association of extraversion with selectivity in self-disclosure was not significant.