Well-being Affected by Secrecy Processes (WASP)

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Title:
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Publication type:
Refereed Journal Article

Study details

Baseline session:
Yes
Followup session:
Yes
Study design:
The study consisted of a baseline session and 7 days of ESM surveys. Each day, participants were prompted to complete 8 ESM surveys. Each day, the first 7 daily ESM surveys were randomly scheduled. The final survey each day was an end-of-day survey. Variables ending with EDS correspond to end of day survey variables. The study investigated how people feel about their secrets and how they manage their emotions about those secrets. Some survey questions varied as a function of certain item responses (e.g., some items were only presented after participants indicated that they have experienced mind-wandering to secrets; some items were only presented after participants indicated that they have not experienced mind-wandering to secrets).
ESM measurement waves:
1
Ethics granting body:
The Psychology Health and Applied Sciences Human Ethics Sub-Committee of The University of Melbourne
Ethics protocol number:
2023-25981-39080-4
Year/s data was collected:
2023
Location of participants (Countries):
Australia
Background information:
The first 7 ESM surveys were sent on a semi-random schedule each day (between 9:30 and 19:20) and remained open for 20 minutes before expiring. The final survey was an end-of-day survey which was sent between 20:00 and 21:00 and remained open for 60 minutes before expiring.
Languages:
English
Setting:
---
Collection platform:
---
Preregistration URL:
https://osf.io/jhxz3/
Days of ESM data collection:
7
Number of ESM measures per day:
7 ESM surveys and 1 end-of-day survey.
Sampling schedule:
mixed/other
ESM schedule start time:
9:30
ESM schedule end time:
22:00
ESM schedule duration:
---

Sample details

Type of sample:
Participants were community members who completed the baseline surveys online and completed the ESM surveys using the SEMA3 smartphone app.
Recruitment information:
Participants were recruited via advertisements on university mailing lists and flyers placed around campus and in other online and community-based locations. To take part in the study, participants were required to be in the Australian Standard Time zone and have an iPhone(iOS 8 or above) or Android phone (Android 6.0 or above) that is not an Oppo, Realmeor Huawei phone . To be included in the ESM part of the study (and the dataset), participants must have completed the baseline survey in full, including watching the briefing videos and responding to comprehension check questions. Participants were also excluded if they failed all three attentional checks in the baseline survey or completed the baseline survey in under 15 minutes. Start and end of day surveys asked participants to report on whether they can recall which secret they had selected for the study, and whether that secret is still a secret. If participants indicated that the secret is no longer a secret, and/or they cannot remember the secret selected for the study, we will exclude data from the surveys completed by that participant on that day. We excluded from analysis all data from participants providing inconsistent responses to those questions (e.g. alternating yes/no responses more than once to either or both of those questions across the week). ESM surveys indicating careless responding (items that are responded to quicker than 650ms) were replaced with missing data.
Incentives:
Participants received $10 for completing the online baseline session and up to $40 for completing the ESM surveys across the following week for a possible $50 in total (all payment numbers are in Australian dollars). Participants received the full $40 for the ESM phase if they completed 85% or more of the ESM surveys. Participants also received a personalised report of their response across the ESM surveys.
Exclusions:
7 participants voluntarily withdrew after completing the baseline survey. 62 participants were excluded as they did not have any secrets, had incomplete baseline surveys or were outside of the Australian Standard Time Zone. 11 participants were excluded who provided inconsistent responses about whether they had a secret or not, or did not mind-wander to their secret. This left a final sample of N=207.
Number of participants:
207

Contact info

Contact:
Imogen Smith
Contact email:
imogen.smith.1@unimelb.edu.au
Selection Variable Info Assessment type Constructs Branching
UUID Default None
Date_Local Default None
Time_Local Default None
AGE What is your age in years? Baseline
BFI_1 Worries a lot Baseline
BFI_10 Is sometimes rude to others Baseline
BFI_11 Has a forgiving nature Baseline
BFI_12 Is considerate and kind to almost everyone Baseline
BFI_13 Does a thorough job Baseline
BFI_14 Tends to be lazy Baseline
BFI_15 Does things efficiently Baseline
BFI_2 Gets nervous easily Baseline
BFI_3 Remains calm in tense situations Baseline
BFI_4 Is talkative Baseline
BFI_5 Is outgoing, sociable Baseline
BFI_6 Is reserved Baseline
BFI_7 Is original, comes up with new ideas Baseline
BFI_8 Values artistic, aesthetic experiences Baseline
BFI_9 Has an active imagination Baseline
CESD_1 I was bothered by things that usually don't bother me. Baseline
CESD_10 I felt fearful. Baseline
CESD_11 My sleep was restless. Baseline
CESD_12 I was happy. Baseline
CESD_13 I talked less than usual. Baseline
CESD_14 I felt lonely. Baseline
CESD_15 People were unfriendly. Baseline
CESD_16 I enjoyed life. Baseline
CESD_17 I had crying spells. Baseline
CESD_18 I felt sad. Baseline
CESD_19 I felt that people dislike me. Baseline
CESD_2 I did not feel like eating; my appetite was poor. Baseline
CESD_20 I could not get "going." Baseline
CESD_3 I felt that I could not shake off the blues even with help from my family or friends. Baseline
CESD_4 I felt I was just as good as other people. Baseline
CESD_5 I had trouble keeping my mind on what I was doing. Baseline
CESD_6 I felt depressed. Baseline
CESD_7 I felt that everything I did was an effort. Baseline
CESD_8 I felt hopeful about the future. Baseline
CESD_9 I thought my life had been a failure. Baseline
COMPLETED_DATE_TIME Date and time ESM survey was completed ESM
CONTEXT_ABSORB In the last hour, how focused have you been on your current activities (e.g. work, studying, household tasks)? ESM
CONTEXT_ABSORB_RT Response time for relevant variable ESM
CONTEXT_CUES In the last hour, how much have you noticed things that reminded you of the secret? ESM
CONTEXT_CUES_RT Response time for relevant variable ESM
CONTEXT_URGENT In the last hour, how much have you had to deal with urgent or important issues unrelated to the secret? ESM
CONTEXT_URGENT_RT Response time for relevant variable ESM
CREATED_DATE_TIME Time and date ESM survey created ESM
CSQ1_1 Hurt another person (for example, emotionally or physically hurt someone), and kept this secret from someone else Baseline
CSQ1_10 Violated someone's trust (but NOT by a lie) for example, by snooping, revealing information about someone, breaking or losing something that belongs to someone without telling them, etc) Baseline
CSQ1_11 Had romantic desires about someone (while being single) for example, a crush, in love with someone, wanting relations with a specific person Baseline
CSQ1_12 Unhappy in a romantic relationship Baseline
CSQ1_13 Thought about having relations with another person (while already in a relationship) Baseline
CSQ1_14 Committed emotional infidelity (NOT involving actual sexual infidelity) for example, having an inappropriate emotional connection with someone, or engaging in something other than sex, such as flirting, kissing, etc Baseline
CSQ1_15 Committed sexual infidelity (engaged in sexual relations with someone who was not your partner) Baseline
CSQ1_16 At some point was in a relationship with someone who themselves actually had a partner (that is, the person was cheating on their partner -- with you) Baseline
CSQ1_17 Dislike a friend, or unhappy with current social life Baseline
CSQ1_18 Dissatisfied with something physical about yourself Baseline
CSQ1_19 Had mental health issues, or dissatisfied with something about yourself other than physical appearance (for example, fears, anxieties, depression, mental disorders, eating disorders) Baseline
CSQ1_2 Used illegal drugs, OR abused / addicted to a legal drug (e.g., alcohol, painkillers) Baseline
CSQ1_20 Cheated or did something improper at work (or school), or having lied to get a job (or into a school) Baseline
CSQ1_21 Performing poorly at work (or school) Baseline
CSQ1_22 Dissatisfied with your situation at work (or school) Baseline
CSQ1_23 Planning to propose marriage Baseline
CSQ1_24 Planning a surprise for someone (other than a marriage proposal) Baseline
CSQ1_3 Had a habit or addiction (but NOT involving drugs) Baseline
CSQ1_4 Stolen something from someone or some place Baseline
CSQ1_5 Engaged in something illegal (other than drugs or stealing) Baseline
CSQ1_6 Physically harmed yourself Baseline
CSQ1_7 Had an abortion Baseline
CSQ1_8 Had a traumatic experience (other than the above) Baseline
CSQ1_9 Have lied to someone Baseline
CSQ2_1 Have you ever hidden a hobby or possession? Baseline
CSQ2_10 Kept secret details about finances (or amount of money you have)? Baseline
CSQ2_11 Kept secret a job or employment that you have (or school activity)? Baseline
CSQ2_12 Kept a secret ambition, secret plan, or secret goal for yourself? Baseline
CSQ2_13 A secret unusual behavior (unrelated to any of the above categories, in this section and the earlier section)? Baseline
CSQ2_14 A specific story you keep a secret (unrelated to any of the other categories, this section and the above section)? Baseline
CSQ2_2 Have you ever hidden a current relationship, or kept a past relationship secret? Baseline
CSQ2_3 Have you ever kept a detail about your family secret? Baseline
CSQ2_4 Have you ever been pregnant and didn't tell some people? Baseline
CSQ2_5 Have you ever concealed your sexual orientation / gender identity? Baseline
CSQ2_6 Sexual behavior that you keep secret? (other than sexual orientation, for example, porn, masturbation, fantasies, unusual sexual behavior, etc.) Baseline
CSQ2_7 Kept secret a lack of having sex? (i.e., that you are not, or were not, having sex at some point) Baseline
CSQ2_8 Kept secret a preference for something? (for example, not liking something that people think you like, or liking something people do not know you like) Baseline
CSQ2_9 Kept a belief secret? (for example, political views, religious views, views about social groups, prejudice) Baseline
DURATION_TOTAL Total ESM survey response time (in ms) ESM
DURATION_TOTAL Time taken to complete baseline Baseline
EDU What is your level of education? Baseline
EndDate Date and time baseline completed Baseline
ESL Is English your first language? Baseline
ETHN What is your ethnicity? Please select all that apply. Baseline
ETHN_RECODE What is your ethnicity? Baseline
ETHN_SPECIFY Ethnicity if selected "Other" Baseline
EXPIRED_DATE_TIME Time and date survey expired ESM
GAD7_1 Feeling nervous, anxious, or on edge Baseline
GAD7_2 Not being able to stop or control worrying Baseline
GAD7_3 Worrying too much about different things Baseline
GAD7_4 Trouble relaxing Baseline
GAD7_5 Being so restless that it's hard to sit still Baseline
GAD7_6 Becoming easily annoyed or irritable Baseline
GAD7_7 Feeling afraid as if something awful might happen Baseline
GENDER What is your gender? Baseline
GENDER_SPECIFY Gender specified by participant Baseline
HOUSEHOLD How many people, including you, live in your household Baseline
INTERSURVEY_INTERVAL Time between previous and current survey ESM
LONE In the last hour, how lonely have you felt? ESM
LONE_RT Response time for relevant variable ESM
NATION_RECODE What is your nationality? Baseline
PMERQ_1 To calm down, I do not show others how I feel. Baseline
PMERQ_10 During conflicts I change the topic towards something less upsetting, to feel less bad. Baseline
PMERQ_11 I confront upsetting situations head-on to feel less upset. Baseline
PMERQ_12 To feel less bad, I avoid people if I expect an interaction with them to be unpleasant. Baseline
PMERQ_13 To feel less anxious in stressful situations, I divert my attention away from the situation. Baseline
PMERQ_14 I steer contentious conversations towards a different topic, to reduce how upset they make me feel. Baseline
PMERQ_15 To feel less anxious, I tackle stressful situations head-on. Baseline
PMERQ_16 I suppress my emotion expressions during stressful conversations to feel less anxious. Baseline
PMERQ_17 To reduce how upset conflicts make me, I actively find compromises. Baseline
PMERQ_18 I avoid stressful situations, to prevent feeling anxious. Baseline
PMERQ_19 During a conflict, to calm myself down I work towards finding a compromise. Baseline
PMERQ_2 I concentrate on the least negative aspects of an upsetting situation, to feel less upset. Baseline
PMERQ_20 To reduce how upset I feel when something upsetting happens, I think of this as a chance to grow. Baseline
PMERQ_21 To feel less nervous during a stressful situation, I think about the good things that could come from the situation. Baseline
PMERQ_22 To reduce how bad I feel during unpleasant conversations, I focus on anything the person says that is not unpleasant. Baseline
PMERQ_23 I focus on the least negative components of a stressful situation, to feel less anxious. Baseline
PMERQ_24 To feel less upset when things do not work out as planned, I think of it as a chance to learn. Baseline
PMERQ_25 When something does not go as planned, I re-evaluate its importance to reduce how bad I feel. Baseline
PMERQ_26 During conflicts, I calm down by negotiating a resolution to the conflict. Baseline
PMERQ_27 I distract myself during unpleasant situations to feel less bad. Baseline
PMERQ_28 To reduce how upset a situation makes me feel, I tackle it head-on. Baseline
PMERQ_29 To feel less upset during upsetting situations, I divert my attention away from what is happening. Baseline
PMERQ_3 To feel less anxious during a conflict, I move the conversation to another topic. Baseline
PMERQ_30 To feel less stressed, I ask others for help. Baseline
PMERQ_31 To reduce how anxious I feel during stressful conversations, I focus on things the person says that are not negative. Baseline
PMERQ_32 I talk with others about what makes me nervous, to feel less anxious. Baseline
PMERQ_33 To reduce how bad I feel during unpleasant situations, I do something to distract myself. Baseline
PMERQ_34 I do not tell others when I am upset, as a way to reduce how upset I feel. Baseline
PMERQ_35 During stressful conversations, I distract myself to feel less anxious. Baseline
PMERQ_36 To reduce how bad conflicts make me feel, I work to solve the disagreement. Baseline
PMERQ_37 To feel less upset during a heated conversation, I change the subject. Baseline
PMERQ_38 If something does not work out as I wanted, to feel less bad I decide that perhaps it was not so important. Baseline
PMERQ_39 I work to find a solution to conflicts, to decrease how anxious they make me feel. Baseline
PMERQ_4 To feel less anxious, I avoid stressful situations. Baseline
PMERQ_40 When something does not work out, to calm down I try to see it as a blessing in disguise. Baseline
PMERQ_41 When going for something I want gets me in a stressful situation, to feel less anxious I question the importance of what I want. Baseline
PMERQ_42 To reduce how upset a situation makes me feel, I avoid the situation. Baseline
PMERQ_43 I steer combative conversations to neutral topics, to reduce how bad they make me feel. Baseline
PMERQ_44 I avoid upsetting conversations to feel less upset. Baseline
PMERQ_45 When something upsetting happens, to feel less upset, I think about the possible benefits of the situation. Baseline
PMERQ_5 I avoid situations others tell me will be unpleasant, to feel less bad. Baseline
PMERQ_6 I work to negotiate a resolution to conflicts I have with others, to decrease how bad I feel Baseline
PMERQ_7 To feel less upset when things do not go as planned, I think about what may be the benefits. Baseline
PMERQ_8 I express how I feel to my friends as a way to feel less bad. Baseline
PMERQ_9 When I have something unpleasant to discuss with someone, I confront them to feel less bad. Baseline
RELAT What is your relationship status? Baseline
RRS_1 Think “What am I doing to deserve this?” Baseline
RRS_10 Go someplace alone to think about your feelings Baseline
RRS_2 Think “Why do I always react this way?” Baseline
RRS_3 Think about a recent situation, wishing it had gone better Baseline
RRS_4 Think “Why do I have problems other people don’t have?” Baseline
RRS_5 Think “Why can’t I handle things better?” Baseline
RRS_6 Analyse recent events to try to understand why you are depressed Baseline
RRS_7 Go away by yourself and think about why you feel this way Baseline
RRS_8 Write down what you are thinking and analyse it Baseline
RRS_9 Analyse your personality to try to understand why you are depressed Baseline
SCHEDULED_DATE_TIME Time and date ESM survey scheduled ESM
SCHEDULED_LAG_DATETIME Date and time of previous survey (Lagged survey time) ESM
SCS_1 I have an important secret that I haven't shared with anyone Baseline
SCS_10 I have negative thoughts about myself that I never share with anyone Baseline
SCS_2 If I shared all my secrets with my friends, they'd like me less Baseline
SCS_3 There are lots of things about me that I keep to myself Baseline
SCS_4 Some of my secrets have really tormented me Baseline
SCS_5 When something bad happens to me, I tend to keep it to myself Baseline
SCS_6 I am often afraid I'll reveal something I don't want to Baseline
SCS_7 Telling a secret often backfires and I wish I hadn't told it Baseline
SCS_8 I have a secret that is so private I would lie if anybody asked me about it Baseline
SCS_9 My secrets are too embarrassing to share with others Baseline
SECRET_ACPT In the last hour, I have been okay with my feelings about the secret. ESM
SECRET_ACPT_RT Response time for relevant variable ESM
SECRET_ANX Right now, how anxious does your secret make you feel? ESM
SECRET_ANX_RT Response time for relevant variable ESM
SECRET_CONC In the last hour, I focused on something positive to stop thinking about the secret. ESM
SECRET_CONCEAL In the last hour, how much did you prevent yourself/hold back from revealing the secret to other people? ESM
SECRET_CONCEAL_RT Response time for relevant variable ESM
SECRET_CONC_RT Response time for relevant variable ESM
SECRET_DISCOVER This secret is discoverable Baseline
SECRET_DISGUST Right now, how disgusted does your secret make you feel? ESM
SECRET_DISGUST_RT Response time for relevant variable ESM
SECRET_DIST In the last hour, I distracted myself from feelings about the secret. ESM
SECRET_DIST_RT Response time for relevant variable ESM
SECRET_EMB Right now, how embarrassed does your secret make you feel? ESM
SECRET_EMB_RT Response time for relevant variable ESM
SECRET_FEEL How do you feel about this secret? Baseline
SECRET_GUILT Right now, how guilty does your secret make you feel? ESM
SECRET_GUILT_RT Response time for relevant variable ESM
SECRET_HAP Right now, how happy does your secret make you feel? ESM
SECRET_HAP_RT Response time for relevant variable ESM
SECRET_HARM Keeping this secret is harmful to at least one of my relationships Baseline
SECRET_IMMORAL Keeping this secret is immoral Baseline
SECRET_INSTRUCT The following questions are about your most significant secret ESM
SECRET_INSTRUCT_RT Response time for relevant variable ESM
SECRET_IRR Right now, how irritated does your secret make you feel? ESM
SECRET_IRR_RT Response time for relevant variable ESM
SECRET_KEEP I feel able to keep this secret Baseline
SECRET_MW1 In the last hour, how much did you find yourself thinking about the secret? ESM
SECRET_MW1_RT Response time for relevant variable ESM
SECRET_MW_DELIB1 In the last hour, I allowed my thoughts to wander to the secret on purpose. ESM
SECRET_MW_DELIB1_RT Response time for relevant variable ESM
SECRET_MW_SPONT2 In the last hour, my mind wandered to the secret even when I was supposed to be doing something else. ESM
SECRET_MW_SPONT2_RT Response time for relevant variable ESM
SECRET_MW_TEXT_RT Response time for relevant variable ESM
SECRET_MW_YN In the last hour, did you find yourself thinking about the secret? ESM
SECRET_MW_YN_RT Response time for relevant variable ESM
SECRET_NO_MORE Is the information still secret from one or more people? ESM
SECRET_NO_MORE_RT Response time for relevant variable ESM
SECRET_NONJUDGE In the last hour, I noticed how I was feeling about the secret without judging my feelings. ESM
SECRET_NONJUDGE_RT Response time for relevant variable ESM
SECRET_REAP1 In the last hour, I took an objective, more distant perspective when thinking about the secret ESM
SECRET_REAP1_RT Response time for relevant variable ESM
SECRET_REAP2 In the last hour, I reminded myself that the secret is not that important. ESM
SECRET_REAP2_RT Response time for relevant variable ESM
SECRET_REAP3 In the last hour, I reminded myself of some positive aspects about the secret. ESM
SECRET_REAP3_RT Response time for relevant variable ESM
SECRET_RECALL Do you remember what your most significant secret is? ESM
SECRET_RECALL_RT Response time for relevant variable ESM
SECRET_REFL In the last hour, I reflected on the causes and consequences of the secret. ESM
SECRET_REFL_RT Response time for relevant variable ESM
SECRET_REVEAL Do you plan to reveal this secret at some point in the future? Baseline
SECRET_RLX Right now, how relaxed does your secret make you feel? ESM
SECRET_RLX_RT Response time for relevant variable ESM
SECRET_RUM In the last hour, I dwelled on my feelings about the secret. ESM
SECRET_RUM_RT Response time for relevant variable ESM
SECRET_SAD Right now, how sad does your secret make you feel? ESM
SECRET_SAD_RT Response time for relevant variable ESM
SECRET_SIGNIFICANCE How significant is this secret? Baseline
SECRET_SOCSHR1 In the last hour, I talked to others about my feelings about the secret. ESM
SECRET_SOCSHR1_RT Response time for relevant variable ESM
SECRET_SOCSHR2 In the last hour, I talked to others about facts related to the secret. ESM
SECRET_SOSHR2_RT Response time for relevant variable ESM
SecretsScore Total number of secrets reported in each CSQ category Baseline
SECRET_SUPR In the last hour, I made an effort to hide my feelings about the secret. ESM
SECRET_SUPR_RT Response time for relevant variable ESM
SECRET_TARGET Who are you keeping this secret from? (select all that apply) Baseline
SECRET_TARGET_TEXT Who are you keeping this secret from? (Text Entry) Baseline
StartDate Date and time baseline started Baseline
STARTED_DATE_TIME Time and date ESM survey started ESM
SURVEY_COMPLETED Whether the survey was completed ESM
SURVEY_DAY Study day ESM
SURVEYDAY_NUMBER Study sequential survey number ESM
SURVEY_NAME Survey Type (Start/End of Day or During the Day) ESM
TOTAL_SURVEY_COMPLETED Total number of esm surveys completed ESM
TOTAL_SURVEYS_SENT Total number of surveys sent to the participant ESM
UCLA_1 I am unhappy doing so many things alone Baseline
UCLA_10 I feel left out Baseline
UCLA_11 I feel completely alone Baseline
UCLA_12 I am unable to reach out and communicate with those around me Baseline
UCLA_13 My social relationships are superficial Baseline
UCLA_14 I feel starved for company Baseline
UCLA_15 No one really knows me well Baseline
UCLA_16 I feel isolated from others Baseline
UCLA_17 I am unhappy being so withdrawn Baseline
UCLA_18 It is difficult for me to make friends Baseline
UCLA_19 I feel shut out and excluded by others Baseline
UCLA_2 I have nobody to talk to Baseline
UCLA_20 People are around me but not with me Baseline
UCLA_3 I cannot tolerate being so alone Baseline
UCLA_4 I lack companionship Baseline
UCLA_5 I feel as if nobody really understands me Baseline
UCLA_6 I find myself waiting for people to get in touch Baseline
UCLA_7 There is no one I can turn to Baseline
UCLA_8 I am no longer close to anyone Baseline
UCLA_9 My interests and ideas are not shared by those around me Baseline
UPLOADED_DATE_TIME Time and date survey uploaded ESM

Publications

Main Publication

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Title:
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Authors:
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Year of publication:
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Publication name:
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Issue number:
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Page numbers:
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DOI or URL:
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Publication type:
Refereed Journal Article

IS 20/07/2025: Date_Local and Time_Local variables changed from completed timpoints to scheduled timepoints.