Self-disclosure in a clinical context by Asian and British psychiatric out-patients

A study is described in which self-reported self-disclosure levels of Asian and British out-patients to psychiatrists are examined as a function of racial and gender match to psychiatrist. Analysis of self-disclosure scores for 77 subjects revealed no overall differences between Asian and British subjects, or between men and women. Asian subjects, however, reported being prepared to disclose significantly more to a psychiatrist of the same sex as themselves, regardless of race; no such effect was found for British subjects. British women reported being prepared to reveal significantly more to a psychiatrist of the same race as themselves; this effect was not observed in any of the other three subgroups. Implications of these findings for clinical practice are discussed.