Sexual Self-Disclosure Styles: Understanding Differences in Discussing Sensitive Sexual Topics with Relationship Partners

This study explored sexual self-disclosure styles. Using an online self-report survey, participants (n = 428) reported levels of conversational goals, disclosure-related variables, and likelihood to disclose a sexual topic to their romantic partner. Cluster analysis resulted in three distinct styles of sexual self-disclosure. A seasoned self-discloser is experienced and efficacious in their sexual self-disclosures. Relationally constrained disclosers report concern for secondary goals paired with avoidance-related contextual variables. Functional self-disclosers seem to use verbal disclosure as a preferred tool for managing sexual issues in relationships, with less regard for the secondary influences of impression management, identity, and relational goals.