Differences in Self-Disclosure in Psychotherapy between American and Israeli Patients

Abstract

This study investigated differences in extent and patterns of disclosure in psychotherapy between American ( n = 164) and Israeli ( n = 45) patients. Participants completed the Disclosure to Therapist Inventory-R, an 80-item measure that uses a rating scale to assess the extent to which psychotherapy patients have discussed each of 80 moderately to highly intimate topics with their most recent therapist. Analysis yielded no significant difference between groups in overall disclosure and high overlap in the topics most and least discussed. Both groups frequently discussed aspects of their personalities they disliked, feelings of desperation or depression, and feelings of rage or anger towards parents. Findings suggest universal concerns may outweigh the cultural context in which therapy occurs.