Patients' experiences of self-disclosure in psychotherapy: The effects of gender and gender role identification

This study examined the effects of gender and gender role identification on 223 patients' experiences of self-disclosure in psychotherapy. Factor analysis of the Disclosure-to-Therapist Inventory-IV revealed two dimensions: a distress factor, reflecting the perceived difficulty and the anticipated impact of disclosures on the therapist, and an openness factor, reflecting the extent and perceived importance of disclosures and the interpersonal connection experienced during them. Female patients working with female therapists experienced greater distress in disclosure than male patients working with female therapists; in addition, patients with more flexible gender role identifications (i.e., androgynous) experienced greater openness than those with more traditional gender identifications. Findings suggest a need for greater discussion in therapy of the effects of gender on disclosure.