An analysis of the relationship among multiformity of self-disclosure, perceived self-disclosure, adaptation, and friendship in adolescents

Abstract

This study examines how multiformity of self-disclosure is associated with friendship, perceived self-disclosure, and adaptation in adolescents. Therefore, surveys were administered to 403 college students (152 males, 249 females, and 2 unknown). The cluster analysis based on the friendship scale yielded three major clusters, namely, adolescents who exhibited low hyperthymia-like tendencies among their friends and high withdrawal into themselves (Cluster 1), adolescents who exhibited low withdrawal into themselves and high hyperthymia-like tendencies among their friends (Cluster 2), and adolescents who exhibited high tendencies of being careful regarding not intruding upon their friends (Cluster 3). The results of the analysis revealed that the adolescents in Cluster 1 had lower multiformity of self-disclosure than those who belonged to the other clusters, and the adolescents in Cluster 2 had higher self-esteem than those in the other clusters. Moreover, multiformity relationships were observed in adolescents who related to defensive friendship (Cluster 1) and who had cheerful relationships (Cluster 2); however, the former possessed lower self-esteem. Hence, these findings suggest that multiformity relationships do not facilitate adequation among defensive adolescents.