Disclosure Expectancy Scale (DExS)

Abstract

The Disclosure Expectancy Scale (DExS), also known as the Disclosure Expectancy Scale–Civilian Version, is an original 33-item inventory/questionnaire designed to assess trauma survivors’ expectations about the potential risks and benefits associated with disclosing their traumatic experiences. The scale’s content is informed by existing research, such as Ullman (2011), and the authors’ clinical experience with diverse survivor populations. This instrument aims to measure individual differences that influence survivors’ motivation to share traumatic experiences, which is believed to impact the trajectory of post-trauma recovery. The DExS has been evaluated in a sample of trauma-exposed undergraduates, with reported results for factor analysis, reliability, and validity.

Keywords

Traumatic Experiences; Disclosure; Negative Expectations; Positive Expectations; Expectations; Self-Disclosure; Trauma Measures

Authors

Clapp, Joshua D.; Gray, Matt J.; Litz, Brett T.; Lang, Ariel J.; Sowers, Alexandria F.

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Purpose

The purpose of this questionnaire is to measure individual differences that affect survivors’ motivation to share traumatic experiences, which is believed to influence trajectories of post-trauma recovery.

Validity

Convergent Validity: Results indicate moderate to strong magnitude associations of negative disclosure expectancies with post-trauma cognitions, perceived support, and reluctance to engage support networks. Positive expectancies, by contrast, demonstrated a stronger correlation with the frequency of previous disclosure as reported on the initial item of the DExS (z = 4.21, p < .001).

Discriminant Validity: Negative disclosure expectancies demonstrated weak associations with trait expressivity, social anxiety disorder, and impression management. A similar pattern of associations was observed for positive disclosure expectancies, with the strongest association with discriminant measures observed for state positive affect (r = .30, 95% CI = [.18, .42]).

Reliability

Internal Consistency: Reliabilities were excellent for both positive (ω = .94) and negative (ω = .93) items.

Factor Analysis

Confirmatory Factor Analysis: CFA provided strong support for the plausibility of the correlated two-factor solution, χ2(494) = 1,257.9; p < .001. CFI (.954), TLI (.951), and SRMR (.065) values all exceeded benchmarks for inferring a close fit of the hypothesized model.

Instrument: Disclosure Expectancy Scale (DExS)

Test Type: Original

Format: Respondents first complete a descriptive item to determine how frequently they have disclosed thoughts and/or memories of the traumatic event since the time of exposure (1 = Never; 5 = Very often). Those reporting at least some prior disclosure are then asked to indicate how helpful or useful their disclosures have been (1 = Not at all helpful; 5 = Extremely helpful). Finally, all respondents are instructed to rate the likelihood (1 = Extremely unlikely; 5 = Extremely likely) of negative and positive outcomes potentially resulting from the disclosure of experienced trauma. Total scores for negative and positive disclosure expectancies are calculated as the mean of endorsed items, multiplied by a factor of 10 (range = 10–50). The multiplier is applied to extend the absolute range of scores to enhance comparisons in more clinically-oriented settings.

Language Available: English

Population Group: Human; Male; Female

Age Group: Adulthood (18 yrs & older)

Population Details: Respondents: Trauma-Exposed Undergraduates. Location: United States.

Test Methodology: Test Validity; Convergent Validity; Discriminant Validity; Test Reliability; Internal Consistency; Factor Analysis; Confirmatory Factor Analysis.

Other Versions: 9999-89896-000, Disclosure Expectancy Scale–Military Version, Revision.

Keywords: No data is Available

Authors

Author ORCID Identifier:

• Clapp, Joshua D.: http://orcid.org/0000-0003-2897-5363

• Litz, Brett T.: http://orcid.org/0000-0002-0479-8887

Affiliation:

• Clapp, Joshua D.: University of Wyoming

• Gray, Matt J.: University of Wyoming

• Litz, Brett T.: VA Boston Healthcare System and Boston University

• Lang, Ariel J.: VA San Diego Center of Excellence for Stress and Mental Health (CESAMH)

• Sowers, Alexandria F.: University of Wyoming

Email addresses:

• Clapp, Joshua D.: [email protected]

Correspondence Address:

• Clapp, Joshua D.: University of Wyoming, Department of Psychology, 1000 University Drive, Laramie, Wyoming, United States, 82071, [email protected]

Permissions & Fee and Test Year

Permissions: May use for Research/Teaching

Fee: No

Test Year: 2023

References

Clapp, J. D., Gray, M. J., Litz, B. T., Lang, A. J., & Sowers, A. F. (2023). Development and validation of the Disclosure Expectancy Scale. Assessment, 30(6), 1969–1984. https://doi.org/10.1177/10731911221128947

Items of the Disclosure Expectancy Scale (DExS)

This measure consists of 33 items.

Subscales: Negative expectations; Positive expectations.

This questionnaire is designed to assess the extent to which individuals talk about or disclose memories of stressful life events and their attitudes about talking. One of the things people often struggle with is whether it is OK to talk about memories of really bad things that happened, especially with those who weren’t there. You may have someone or several people that you trust and are comfortable talking to. You may choose not to talk with anyone at this time. You may think that you will never talk about some parts of your experiences. Regardless, you still have opinions about telling others about what happened and we would like to get you to think about these opinions.

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First, we want to get a snapshot of your experiences talking about stressful or traumatic life events and your subsequent reactions. Circle the number of the item below that best represents the number of times you have talked about very bothersome or disturbing memories since the event.

If you circled 2-5, in general, how useful or helpful was talking about your experiences? By useful or helpful, we mean that it was a positive experience. You may have felt relieved, you may have felt supported and understood, and you may have gained some insight, and so on.

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Next, regardless of the extent of your current conversations about your experiences, we want to get your opinion about how likely it is that the following might happen if you talked about anything that is bothersome about your experience, using the scale below.

Disclosure-Related Apprehensions/Negative Expectations

Rating Scale: 1 = Extremely unlikely, 2 = Very unlikely, 3 = Moderately likely, 4 = Very likely, 5 = Extremely likely

Disclosure-Related Positive Expectations

Rating Scale: 1 = Extremely unlikely, 2 = Very unlikely, 3 = Moderately likely, 4 = Very likely, 5 = Extremely likely