Assessing the Structure of Efficacy and Outcome Expectancies in the Decision to Disclose Secrets: A Comparison of Contrasting Theories. (2nd January 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Richards, Adam S.
• Is Part Of: Communication reports. Volume 29:Number 1(2016)
• Page Start: 50
• Page End: 61
• Publication Date: 2016-01-02
• Subjects: Communication Efficacy -- Coping Efficacy -- Disclosure -- Outcome Expectancies -- Secrecy; Communication -- Research -- Periodicals; Communication -- Methodology -- Periodicals; 302.205
• DOI: 10.1080/08934215.2015.1038841
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0893-4215

Abstract

Abstract : This investigation examined the process by which people decide to disclose secrets. Two competing models tested the order that people consider outcome expectancies and efficacy assessments when making disclosure decisions. Participants ( N = 349) answered questions about a currently held secret and related cognitions. Two months later, people indicated whether they disclosed the secret by that time. Communication efficacy and outcome expectancies predicted disclosure in both models, but coping efficacy only predicted disclosure when modeled exogenously to outcome expectancies. Model comparisons provided moderate support for the latter model as more preferable, suggesting that outcome expectancies may mediate the effect of communication and coping efficacy on the decision to disclose secrets.