TY  - BOOK
AU  - Muir, Nicole Annette
TI  - Telling secrets: the process of disclosure for women with stigmatised experiences
PY  - 2001///
CY  - Hamilton
PB  - University of Waikato
KW  - FVC
KW  - CULTURAL DIFFERENCES
KW  - DISCLOSURE
KW  - INTERVENTION
KW  - BISEXUAL
KW  - LGBTQIA+
KW  - SEXUAL ORIENTATION
KW  - TREATMENT
KW  - WOMEN
KW  - THESES
KW  - MĀORI
KW  - LESBIAN
KW  - PREVENTION
KW  - SEXUAL VIOLENCE
KW  - NEW ZEALAND
N1  - Thesis in partial fullfilment of requiremets for Ph.D. Psychology. Available from the University of Waikato; nz
N2  - This thesis examines how disclosing sexual abuse, coming out as a lesbian or bisexual, or having a sexually transmitted disease impacts on women's lives. The research aims to find out what goes on for women prior to disclosure, and what influenced their decision to disclose, therefore helping to increase the understanding of the process of women's self disclosure. Eighteen women were interviewed: 3 Maori and 15 New Zealand-born Europeans. A grounded theory method, relating to feminist research using qualitative methods, such as open and closed questioning with semi-structured interviewing, was employed.    The findings of the study show six categories characterise the process of disclosure. These were the time prior to disclosure, motivation of disclosure, assessing the risks involved, network of confidants, strategies for disclosing, and the consequences of disclosing. The results suggest that disclosure of traumatic secrets could be helpful to women who are experiencing difficulties with self disclosure. Further research is needed to investigate how the role of culture complicates the process of disclosure for women
ER  -