Key references:
Snell, W. E., Jr. (1989). Willingness to self-disclose to female and male friends as a function of social anxiety and gender. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 15, 113-125.
Snell, W. E., Jr., Belk, S. S., Flowers, A., & Warren, J. (1988). Women's and men's willingness to self- disclose to therapists and friends: The moderating influence of instrumental, expressive, masculine, and feminine topics. Sex Roles, 18, 769-776.
Snell, W. E., Jr., Belk, S. S., & Hawkins, R. C. II (1986). The Masculine and Feminine Self-Disclosure Scale: The politics of masculine and feminine self-presentation. Sex Roles, 15, 249-267.
Primary use / Purpose:
The scale was devised to examine women's and men's willingness to disclose information about the “masculine” and “feminine” aspects of themselves.
Background:
The research literature on self-disclosure is not consistent with gender stereotypes. While some studies demonstrate that women are more self-revealing than men, some find the opposite to be the case. The Masculine and Feminine Self-Disclosure Scale (MFSDS) has four separate subscales: two masculine scales assess the tendency to discuss agentic, instrumental traits and behaviors; and two feminine scales measure the tendency to self-disclose about communal, expressive traits and behaviors.
Psychometrics:
For psychometrics, see article Snell, W. E., Jr. (1989). Willingness to self-disclose to female and male friends as a function of social anxiety and gender. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 15, 113-125.
