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How Conversational Goals Predict Sexual Self-Disclosure Decisions.
Gwen A Hullman1, Daniel J Weigel2, Randal D Brown3
1Department of Communication Studies, Ashland University.
Journal of Sex Research
|February 15, 2022
Summary
Understanding conversational goals is key to sexual self-disclosure in romantic relationships. Instrumental goals encourage disclosure, while impression management goals discourage it, influencing efficacy and anxiety.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Communication Studies
- Sociology
Background:
- Sexual communication is crucial in romantic relationships.
- Decisions about sexual self-disclosure are complex and influenced by various factors.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of conversational goals in shaping decisions about sexual self-disclosure among romantically involved individuals.
- To explore the relationship between instrumental, impression management, identity, and relational goals and the likelihood of sexual self-disclosure.
Main Methods:
- An online survey was administered to 428 romantically involved participants.
- Data collected included conversational goals, disclosure efficacy, disclosure anxiety, and likelihood to sexually self-disclose.
- Mediation models were used to analyze the relationships between variables.
Main Results:
- The instrumental conversational goal was directly associated with a higher likelihood of sexual self-disclosure.
- The impression management goal was directly associated with a lower likelihood of sexual self-disclosure.
- Instrumental, impression management, and relational goals indirectly influenced sexual self-disclosure through disclosure efficacy and anxiety.
Conclusions:
- Conversational goals significantly impact sexual self-disclosure in romantic relationships.
- Disclosure efficacy and anxiety act as mediators in the relationship between conversational goals and sexual self-disclosure.
- Future research should consider the perspective of conversational goals when examining communication about sensitive topics.
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