Thesis
Domain-specific secrecy in middle childhood: associations with parental knowledge and child well-being
Washington State University
Master of Arts (MA), Washington State University
2009
Handle:
https://hdl.handle.net/2376/105508
Abstract
The current study examined the existence and effects of secrecy in middle childhood. The majority of previous research analyzing secrecy and disclosure focuses on the developmental period of adolescence. By including middle childhood, the current study examined possible adjustment outcomes of children who keep secrets as well as identify in what subjects children keep secrets from parents. The study reiterated the distinctive contributions of disclosure and secrecy to parental knowledge and child well-being in middle childhood. The current study used data from 58 third through sixth grade children and their families (n = 43). Mothers and children filled out individual questionnaires about secrecy, disclosure, parental knowledge, and child adjustment outcomes. Results indicated secrecy is common in middle childhood across the domains of school, free-time, and friends. Disclosure and secrecy emerged as unique constructs to independently contribute to parental knowledge and predict differing adjustment outcomes. Child reports of secrecy were negatively associated with depressive symptoms and positively associated with delinquency reports. Parental characteristics of control and nurturance were not significant predictors of secrecy. Discussion includes measurement considerations in middle child hood as well as possible avenues for future research in secrecy.
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Details
- Title
- Domain-specific secrecy in middle childhood
- Creators
- Erin Brianne Carroll
- Contributors
- Matthew F. Bumpus (Degree Supervisor)
- Awarding Institution
- Washington State University
- Academic Unit
- Human Development, Department of
- Theses and Dissertations
- Master of Arts (MA), Washington State University
- Publisher
- Washington State University; Pullman, Wash. :
- Identifiers
- 99900525399901842
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Thesis