Disclosure through Face-to-Face and Instant Messaging Modalities: Psychological and Physiological Effects

Abstract

Disclosure following stressful events produces physical and psychological benefits. This study was designed to compare the benefits following disclosure through face-to-face versus instant messaging. Eighty female undergraduates were asked to view a dramatized rape scene. Following this viewing, participants in the disclosure groups were asked to discuss their thoughts and feelings about the video with trained female confederates through face-to-face or instant messaging interactions. The nondisclosure groups discussed a neutral topic through the same two modes of communication. Positive and negative affect, pulse rate, and galvanic skin response were assessed at baseline, following the acute stressor, and following the conversation. The disclosure groups experienced a greater reduction in physiological stress symptoms than the nondisclosure groups, although self-report of negative affect improved significantly more for those that did not disclose. The face-to-face disclosure group showed greater physiological improvement than the instant messaging disclosure group, with no differences in affect. Social interaction modality impacts physiological coping following stressful events.