The Function of Trust and Risk in Disclosure Decisions: A New Grounded Theory

Personal disclosure is a key component of most theories of close relationship bonding or personal change leading to positive therapeutic outcomes. A critical literature gap remains regarding simultaneous influences of trust and risk on disclosure in close or therapeutic relationships. Increased understanding of trust and risk predictors can provide improved insight into desired relationships outcomes. Based on a theoretical framework consisting of the theories of strategic choice, motivated information management, and non-linear risk acceptance, this cross-sectional mixed-methods study identified individuals in close relationships to assess the function of trust and perceived risk for personal disclosure leading to relationship bonding. The study also identified individuals with a therapeutic history to explore the function of therapeutic trust, perceived risk, and alliance for predicting disclosure leading to positive therapeutic outcomes. Quantitative multiple regression analyses of measurements for trust, risk, and disclosure in a sample of 116 participants across four local helping agencies revealed that levels of perceived disclosure risk significantly predicted disclosure behavior in close relationships and therapeutic relationships. Qualitative conceptual axial coding was employed for the 21 participant interviews from the quantitative sample and revealed mechanisms for individual disclosure decisions as a function of trust and risk. A new grounded theory emerged for how trust and risk function in close relationship disclosure decisions leading to close relationship bonding. Implications for positive social change include enhanced therapeutic outcomes; healthier close relationships formed mutual trust and bonding; and the potential to integrate trust, risk, and disclosure research literature through mixed-methods investigations.