Contents, contexts, and confidants: Uncovering the interpersonal dynamics of concealable stigma disclosure

Disclosure of a concealable stigmatized identity (e.g., mental health diagnosis, minoritized sexual identity) is perhaps one of the most difficult obstacles facing individuals who live with “discreditable” attributes. Although previous research suggests that antecedent goals, or the reasons why individuals disclose their stigma to others, have a fundamental influence on disclosure events and their subsequent outcomes, the majority of this work has focused almost exclusively on the perspective of the Discloser, with little attention paid to the perspective of the Confidant. The current experiment used the Actor-Partner Interdependence Model (APIM), and extended mediation model (APIMeM), to test the hypothesis that higher compassionate, as opposed to self-image-focused, goals would be associated with more positive disclosure experiences, for both dyad members, as reflected in their self-reports of improved affect, greater interpersonal closeness, reduced anticipated stigma, bolstered social support, and increased trust. It was also hypothesized that these effects would be mediated by the use of inclusive, positive language in disclosure letters written by individuals with more salient compassionate goals. Results indicated that, although focusing on compassionate goals during disclosure can foster feelings of perceived trust, prioritizing the needs of one’s confidant in conjunction with one’s own needs may, at times, have ironic negative effects, including heightened levels of emotional distress and anticipated stigma. Furthermore, results showed that the use of more inclusive, positive language in written disclosure letters cannot account for subsequent benefits in post-disclosure outcomes among Disclosers, nor their Confidants. Findings ultimately suggest that individuals who reveal a concealable stigma with compassionate, as opposed to self-image, goals in mind may experience unintended consequences to their personal and relational well-being, depending on the social context. Implications for theory, research, and practice are discussed.

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