The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of Progressive Relaxation Training on self-reported self-disclosure and anticipated willingness to self-disclose in the future by male subjects. Self-disclosure has been identified in theory and research as a significant factor in self-development and the development of intimate relationships. Theory and research supported the general concept that an individual's physiological status has an effect on disposition to self-disclose. Empirical data appeared to be lacking concerning the potential effects of relaxation training on self-disclosure. Relaxation training is a method commonly used to assist an individual to achieve a more relaxed physiological state. Research results have indicated that males in the western culture tend to be less likely to self-disclose than females.Subjects were 40 males who were active duty military personnel with a mean age of 32.59 years and a mean is educational level of 13.74 years. Each subject volunteered to receive two sessions of Progressive Relaxation Training. The instrument used in this study was Jourard and Jaffee's Self-Disclosure Questionnaire, which required the subjects to rate 40 items in terms of past self-disclosure and anticipated willingness to self-disclose in the future to a stranger of the same sex. Each of the 40 items had been designated by Jourard as having either a high or low intimacy value.A posttest-only control group design was used. The treatment group participated in two sessions of relaxation training one week apart. The questionnaire was administered immediately following the second training session. The control group was administered the questionnaire at the same time.Five null hypotheses were tested in an attempt to examine the subjects' past and potential self-disclosing behavior. The statistical analyses were accomplished by using a three-way analysis of variance, followed by either a Scheffe' or a pooled Scheffe. Significance was established at the .05 level.Analysis of the data indicated that the Progressive Relaxation Training had a significant effect on subjects' anticipated willingness to self-disclose, regardless of intimacy level. Indications from the analysis of the remaining data also suggested that the treatment had a partial effect on anticipated willingness to self-disclose at a high intimacy level; however, a .05 level of significance was not obtained. Length of treatment was questioned as being adequate for the subjects to fully learn the relaxation response.Recommendations for future research included longer treatment involving more than two sessions of Progressive Relaxation Training, assessment of actual self-disclosing behavior, consideration of the appropriateness of the self-disclosure, and investigation of other types of populations.

Thesis (Ph.D.)--Kent State University, 2008. / Title from PDF t.p. (viewed Oct. 29, 2009). Advisor: Nichole Egbert. Keywords: disclosure; weblog; blog; computer-mediated communication; uses and gratifications; social penetration theory; hyperpersonal theory. Includes bibliographical references (p. 173-186).

Thesis (M.A.)--West Virginia University, 2001. / Title from document title page. Document formatted into pages; contains iv, 44 p. Includes abstract. Includes bibliographical references (p. 28-31).

Thesis (D. Min.)--Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, South Hamilton, MA, 2003. / Abstract and vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 121-125).

This thesis has explored the relationship between self-disclosure (Jourard, 1958) and sex-role identity (Bem, 1972). It was hypothesized that these two elements would interact such that those individuals posessing androgynous sex-role identities would self-disclose more fully to a peer than would individuals posessing sex-typed sex-role identities.This project used a 2 (subject gender) X 2 (sex-role identity) x 3 (target condition) design. The initial sample pool consisted of 151 female and 80 male undergraduate student volunteers. The final sample consisted of 43 female and 14 male students. Married subjects, those identified as sex-reversed, and those subjects who did not attend the second experimental session were eliminated from the final sample. Paper-and-pencil tests measured both self-disclosure and sex-role identity.The analysis of data revealed one significant interaction across the parameters investigated. Males were significantly more "filling to disclose highly intimate personal information than were females. Possible reasons for these results were discussed, and suggestions for further research were made.

The purpose of this study was to examine perceptions and reactions to videotaped portrayals of male and female characters shown self-disclosing or not self-disclosing feelings of loneliness. Forty male and forty female volunteer college students participated in the study. Ratings of the characters were obtained for: 1) psychological adjustment, 2) likability, 3) causal attributions, and 4) personal acceptance (as acquaintance, coworker and close friend). The data were analyzed using multivariate and univariate analyses of variance.Findings1. Manipulation checks provided evidence for the effectiveness of the high-low self-disclosure manipulation.2. The analyses showed that there were no significant differences due to sex of participant or character, nor due to level of loneliness disclosure as measured by the above mentioned four scales.3. Supplementary analyses considering the three acceptance scales separately revealed that participants indicated significantly less difficulty in accepting as a close friend the highly self-disclosing male, as compared to: a) the low self-disclosing male, and b) the highly self disclosing female.Conclusions1. The findings suggest there may be fewer negative consequences for self-disclosure of loneliness by males than implied by prior research in the general area of self-disclosure.2. All other things being equal, that is, adjustment, likability, attributions and overall acceptance, females highly disclosing loneliness may be less accepted as close friends than males exhibiting the same behavior. Research is needed to clarify whether high disclosure of loneliness runs contrary to sex-role expectations for females.In light of the above findings, recommendations for further research were made. Measuring participants' attributions on the motivation of characters self-disclosing loneliness was highly recommended.

Thesis (Ph.D.)--Texas A&M University, 2001. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 108-126).

Thesis (M.A.)--Eastern Illinois University, 1995. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 56-59).

Thesis (M.A.)--Liberty University, 2006. / Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (M.A.)--Liberty University, 2006. / Includes bibliographical references. This thesis is also available electronically through Liberty University's Digital Commons.