The effect of progressive relaxation training on male self-reported past self-disclosure and anticipated willingness to self-disclose

• Main Author: Hotaling, Marjorie W.
• Other Authors: Hayes, Sue E.
• Format: Others
• Published: 2011
• Subjects: Self-disclosure.; Relaxation.
• Online Access: http://cardinalscholar.bsu.edu/handle/handle/176899; http://liblink.bsu.edu/uhtbin/catkey/265493

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.