The Development of the Adaptable Self-Disclosure Scale (ASDS): A Multidimensional Approach to Disclosure Assessment

Author

Brandon McIntyreFollow

Date of Award

11-2021

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Department

Psychology

Committee Chair/Advisor

Cindy Pury, Ph.D.

Committee Member

Patrick Raymark, Ph.D.

Committee Member

Patrick Rosopa, Ph.D.

Committee Member

Mary Anne Taylor, Ph.D.

Abstract

Understanding how individuals share or conceal parts of their identity has long been a topic of research with little consistency of measurement validation. The present study had three main goals: (1) define and conceptualize a multidimensional model of identity disclosure that can apply to any concealable identity, (2) generate a validated and adaptable scale for assessing any concealable identity, and (3) demonstrate the adaptability of this scale for a specific concealable identity. In Study 1, the proposed disclosure model was used to generate 72 items which were narrowed down using factor analysis to form the Adaptable Self-Disclosure Scale (ASDS). The results from Study 1 were used to produce a short and long form of the ASDS (ASDS-10 and -30) which was determined to have a two-factor structure. Study 1 used a sample of individuals having any concealable identity to determine the final factor structure of the ASDS items. The multidimensional model used in Study 1 also drew distinctions between Disclosure Willingness and Disclosure Frequency as independent constructs which was supported by the results of Study 1. Study 2 functions as a demonstration of adaptability of the final ASDS generated in Study 1. Specifically, Study 2 adapted the two final versions of the ASDS to fit the specific identity of ‘Recent Traveler’ during the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic. The goal of Study 2 was to assess the validity and reliability of an adapted form of the ASDS for a specific concealable identity.

Recommended Citation

McIntyre, Brandon, "The Development of the Adaptable Self-Disclosure Scale (ASDS): A Multidimensional Approach to Disclosure Assessment" (2021). All Dissertations. 2957.
https://open.clemson.edu/all_dissertations/2957