Secrecy, Concealment, Affect and Mind-Wandering (SCAM) in Daily Life

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Citation article

Title:
Regulating emotions about secrets.
Authors:
Bianchi, Valentina, Greenaway, Katharine H., Slepian, Michael L., Kalokerinos, Elise K.
Year of publication:
2024
Publication name:
Emotion
Volume number:
24
Issue number:
6
Page numbers:
1386–1402
DOI or URL:
https://doi.org/10.1037/emo0001357
Publication type:
Refereed Journal Article

Study details

Baseline session:
Yes
Followup session:
No
Study design:
The study assessed how people mind-wander to their secrets, conceal their secrets, and confide their secrets in everyday life. Moreover, the study investigated how people feel about their secrets and manage their emotions about those secrets in daily contexts. The baseline survey was completed on Day 0 and the daily surveys began the following day (i.e., participants will complete one daily survey per day on Days 1–14). Participants were sent the daily survey at the same time each day. The baseline survey included a combination of validated and purpose-designed scales to assess time-invariant individual difference variables.
ESM measurement waves:
1
Ethics granting body:
University of Melbourne Human Ethics Sub-Committee
Ethics protocol number:
-
Year/s data was collected:
2022
Location of participants (Countries):
United Kingdom
Background information:
---
Languages:
English
Setting:
---
Collection platform:
---
Preregistration URL:
https://osf.io/q9fr2/overview
Days of ESM data collection:
14
Number of ESM measures per day:
1
Sampling schedule:
interval-contingent
ESM schedule start time:
17:30
ESM schedule end time:
18:30
ESM schedule duration:
---

Sample details

Type of sample:
Participants were aged between 20 and 80 (mean age = 42.72, SD = 11.99. The sample comprised 165 women, 71 men, three self-identifying and one gender-queer/nonconforming participant. To be included in the study, participants were required to complete the baseline in full. They were also required to be over 18 years of age, be residing in the UK and pass all attention and careless responding checks in the baseline.
Recruitment information:
Participants were recruited via Prolific. Most of the sample (n = 217; 90.42%) identified with U.K. nationalities (British, Scottish, Welsh, or Northern Irish), and a small proportion of the sample with European (n = 16; 6.67% of the sample) or other nationalities (including North, Central and South American, Asian, and African; n = 7; 2.91% of the sample).
Incentives:
Participants were compensated monetarily for their involvement, contingent on their compliance. Participants were able to keep track of their compliance on prolific. This graded incentive scheme is structured as follows: -Baseline survey = 3.50 pounds -Daily surveys = 0.70 pence each (total 9.80 pounds if all completed) -Bonus if at least 13 surveys are completed = 2.00 pounds
Exclusions:
We invited 482 eligible people to complete the baseline survey from their responses on the initial screener survey. Of those, 349 people completed the baseline survey. More details on the screener survey and relative logbook are available in the pre-registration: https://osf.io/q9fr2/. Although we originally recruited 349 people to complete the baseline survey, 13 were excluded for only partially completing the baseline survey, and 37 were subsequently excluded due to: not having any secrets (n=16); completing the baseline survey impossibly fast (n=5); failing attention checks at baseline (n=10); choosing to withdraw from the study (n=1); and not completing any daily diary surveys (n=5). Of the remaining 312 participants for whom we had daily diary survey responses, we excluded data for 62 participants who passed less than 80% of the attention checks completed in the daily diary phase of the study; 6 people who provided inconsistent answers about their secret still being a secret across the 14 days; and 4 people who provided inconsistent answers about being able to recall the secret across the 14 days.
Number of participants:
240

Contact info

Contact:
Valentina Bianchi
Contact email:
val.bianchi@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? (please enter only a number) Baseline AGE DEMOGRAPHICS —
CESD_1 I was bothered by things that usually don't bother me. ESM DEPRESSION PSYCHOPATHOLOGY SYMPTOMS —
CESD_10 I felt fearful. ESM AFFECT FEAR NEGATIVE_AFFECT —
CESD_11 My sleep was restless. ESM DEPRESSION PSYCHOPATHOLOGY SYMPTOMS —
CESD_12 I was happy. ESM AFFECT HAPPINESS POSITIVE_AFFECT —
CESD_13 I talked less than usual. ESM DEPRESSION PSYCHOPATHOLOGY SYMPTOMS —
CESD_14 I felt lonely. ESM AFFECT LONELINESS NEGATIVE_AFFECT —
CESD_15 People were unfriendly. ESM SOCIAL SOCIAL_INTERACTION —
CESD_16 I enjoyed life. ESM AFFECT HAPPINESS POSITIVE_AFFECT —
CESD_17 I had crying spells. ESM DEPRESSION PSYCHOPATHOLOGY SYMPTOMS —
CESD_18 I felt sad. ESM DEPRESSION PSYCHOPATHOLOGY SYMPTOMS —
CESD_19 I felt that people dislike me. ESM REJECTION SOCIAL —
CESD_2 I did not feel like eating; my appetite was poor. ESM DEPRESSION PSYCHOPATHOLOGY SYMPTOMS —
CESD_20 I could not get "going." ESM DEPRESSION PSYCHOPATHOLOGY SYMPTOMS —
CESD_3 I felt that I could not shake off the blues even with help from my family or friends. ESM DEPRESSION PSYCHOPATHOLOGY SYMPTOMS —
CESD_4 I felt I was just as good as other people. ESM SELF SELF_ESTEEM —
CESD_5 I had trouble keeping my mind on what I was doing. ESM COGNITION —
CESD_6 I felt depressed. ESM DEPRESSION PSYCHOPATHOLOGY SYMPTOMS —
CESD_7 I felt that everything I did was an effort. ESM DEPRESSION PSYCHOPATHOLOGY SYMPTOMS —
CESD_8 I felt hopeful about the future. ESM AFFECT HOPE POSITIVE_AFFECT —
CESD_9 I thought my life had been a failure. ESM DEPRESSION PSYCHOPATHOLOGY SYMPTOMS —
COMPLETED_DATE Date daily survey completed ESM METADATA —
COMPLETED_TIME Time daily survey completed ESM METADATA —
COMPLIANCE Percentage compliance of daily surveys ESM METADATA —
CSQ1_1 Hurt another person (for example, emotionally or physically hurt someone), and kept this secret from someone else Baseline CONCEALMENT SECRECY —
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 CONCEALMENT SECRECY —
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 SECRECY SEXUAL —
CSQ1_12 Unhappy in a romantic relationship Baseline RELATIONSHIP SECRECY —
CSQ1_13 Thought about having relations with another person (while already in a relationship) Baseline RELATIONSHIP SECRECY —
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 RELATIONSHIP SECRECY —
CSQ1_15 Committed sexual infidelity (engaged in sexual relations with someone who was not your partner) Baseline SECRECY SEXUAL —
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 RELATIONSHIP SECRECY —
CSQ1_17 Dislike a friend, or unhappy with current social life Baseline SOCIAL SOCIAL_INTERACTION —
CSQ1_18 Dissatisfied with something physical about yourself Baseline SELF SELF_OBJECTIFICATION —
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 PSYCHOPATHOLOGY SYMPTOMS —
CSQ1_2 Used illegal drugs, OR abused / addicted to a legal drug (e.g., alcohol, painkillers) Baseline SUBSTANCE_USE —
CSQ1_20 Cheated or did something improper at work (or school), or having lied to get a job (or into a school) Baseline CONCEALMENT SECRECY —
CSQ1_21 Performing poorly at work (or school) Baseline EMPLOYMENT —
CSQ1_22 Dissatisfied with your situation at work (or school) Baseline EMPLOYMENT —
CSQ1_23 Planning to propose marriage Baseline GOAL —
CSQ1_24 Planning a surprise for someone (other than a marriage proposal) Baseline GOAL —
CSQ1_3 Had a habit or addiction (but NOT involving drugs) Baseline CONCEALMENT SECRECY —
CSQ1_4 Stolen something from someone or some place Baseline CONCEALMENT SECRECY —
CSQ1_5 Engaged in something illegal (other than drugs or stealing) Baseline CONCEALMENT SECRECY —
CSQ1_6 Physically harmed yourself Baseline SECRECY SELF_HARM —
CSQ1_7 Had an abortion Baseline MEDICAL SECRECY —
CSQ1_8 Had a traumatic experience (other than the above) Baseline EVENT NEGATIVE_EVENT —
CSQ1_9 Have lied to someone Baseline CONCEALMENT SECRECY —
CSQ2_1 Have you ever hidden a hobby or possession? Baseline CONCEALMENT SECRECY —
CSQ2_10 Kept secret details about finances (or amount of money you have)? Baseline SECRECY SOCIO_ECONOMIC —
CSQ2_11 Kept secret a job or employment that you have (or school activity)? Baseline EMPLOYMENT SECRECY —
CSQ2_12 Kept a secret ambition, secret plan, or secret goal for yourself? Baseline GOAL SECRECY —
CSQ2_13 A secret unusual behavior (unrelated to any of the above categories, in this section and the earlier section)? Baseline SECRECY —
CSQ2_14 A specific story you keep a secret (unrelated to any of the other categories, this section and the above section)? Baseline SECRECY —
CSQ2_2 Have you ever hidden a current relationship, or kept a past relationship secret? Baseline RELATIONSHIP SECRECY —
CSQ2_3 Have you ever kept a detail about your family secret? Baseline FAMILY SECRECY —
CSQ2_4 Have you ever been pregnant and didn't tell some people? Baseline MEDICAL SECRECY —
CSQ2_5 Have you ever concealed your sexual orientation / gender identity? Baseline SECRECY SEXUAL —
CSQ2_6 Sexual behavior that you keep secret? (other than sexual orientation, for example, porn, masturbation, fantasies, unusual sexual behavior, etc.) Baseline SECRECY SEXUAL —
CSQ2_7 Kept secret a lack of having sex? (i.e., that you are not, or were not, having sex at some point) Baseline SECRECY SEXUAL —
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 SECRECY VALUES —
CSQ2_9 Kept a belief secret? (for example, political views, religious views, views about social groups, prejudice) Baseline BELIEF SECRECY —
DURATION_TOTAL Time taken to complete daily survey ESM METADATA —
ECR_RC_1 It helps to turn to this person in times of need Baseline SOCIAL SOCIAL_SUPPORT —
ECR_RC_2 I usually discuss my problems and concerns with this person Baseline HELP_SEEK SOCIAL SOCIAL_SUPPORT —
ECR_RC_3 I talk things over with this person Baseline HELP_SEEK SOCIAL SOCIAL_SUPPORT —
ECR_RC_4 I find it easy to depend on this person Baseline SOCIAL SOCIAL_SUPPORT —
ECR_RC_5 I don't feel comfortable opening up to this person Baseline CONCEALMENT SOCIAL —
ECR_RC_6 I prefer not to show this person how I feel deep down Baseline CONCEALMENT SOCIAL —
ECR_RC_7 I often worry that this person doesn't really care for me Baseline ATTACHMENT REJECTION —
ECR_RC_8 I'm afraid that this person may abandon me Baseline ATTACHMENT REJECTION —
ECR_RC_9 I worry that this person won't care about me as much as I care about him or her Baseline ATTACHMENT REJECTION —
END_DATE_TIME Baseline complete date and time Baseline METADATA —
END_DATETIME Baseline end date and time Baseline METADATA —
ERQ_1 When I want to feel more positive emotion (such as joy or amusement), I change what I’m thinking about Baseline EMOTION_REGULATION REAPPRAISAL STRATEGY —
ERQ_10 When I want to feel less negative emotion, I change the way I’m thinking about the situation Baseline EMOTION_REGULATION REAPPRAISAL STRATEGY —
ERQ_2 I keep my emotions to myself Baseline CONCEALMENT EMOTION_REGULATION EXPRESSIVE_SUPPRESSION —
ERQ_3 When I want to feel less negative emotion (such as sadness or anger), I change what I’m thinking about Baseline EMOTION_REGULATION REAPPRAISAL STRATEGY —
ERQ_4 When I am feeling positive emotions, I am careful not to express them Baseline CONCEALMENT EMOTION_REGULATION EXPRESSIVE_SUPPRESSION —
ERQ_5 When I’m faced with a stressful situation, I make myself think about it in a way that helps me stay calm Baseline EMOTION_REGULATION REAPPRAISAL STRATEGY —
ERQ_6 I control my emotions by not expressing them Baseline CONCEALMENT EMOTION_REGULATION EXPRESSIVE_SUPPRESSION —
ERQ_7 When I want to feel more positive emotion, I change the way I’m thinking about the situation Baseline EMOTION_REGULATION REAPPRAISAL STRATEGY —
ERQ_8 I control my emotions by changing the way I think about the situation I’m in Baseline EMOTION_REGULATION REAPPRAISAL STRATEGY —
ERQ_9 When I am feeling negative emotions, I make sure not to express them Baseline CONCEALMENT EMOTION_REGULATION EXPRESSIVE_SUPPRESSION —
ESL Is English your first language? Baseline DEMOGRAPHICS LANGUAGE —
FFMQ_1 I'm good at finding the words to describe my feelings Baseline CLARITY EMOTION_DIFFERENTIATION —
FFMQ_10 When I feel something in my body, it's hard for me to find the right words to describe it Baseline ALEXITHYMIA CLARITY —
FFMQ_11 It seems I am "running on automatic" without much awareness of what I am doing Baseline AWARENESS MINDFULNESS —
FFMQ_12 When I have distressing thoughts or images, I feel calm soon after Baseline ACCEPTANCE MINDFULNESS —
FFMQ_13 I think some of my emotions are bad or inappropriate and I shouldn't feel them Baseline EMOTION_BELIEFS —
FFMQ_14 I notice visual elements in art or nature, such as colours, shapes, textures, or patterns of light and shadow Baseline AWARENESS MINDFULNESS —
FFMQ_15 I notice the smells and aromas of things Baseline AWARENESS INTEROCEPTIVE_AWARENESS —
FFMQ_16 Even when I am feeling terribly upset, I can find a way to put it into words Baseline CLARITY EMOTION_DIFFERENTIATION —
FFMQ_17 I rush through activities without being really attentive to them Baseline AWARENESS MINDFULNESS —
FFMQ_18 Usually when I have distressing thoughts or images I can just notice them without reacting Baseline ACCEPTANCE MINDFULNESS —
FFMQ_2 I can easily put my beliefs, opinions, and expectations into words Baseline CLARITY EMOTION_DIFFERENTIATION —
FFMQ_3 I watch my feelings without getting carried away by them Baseline AWARENESS MINDFULNESS —
FFMQ_4 I tell myself that I shouldn't be feeling the way I am feeling Baseline EMOTION_BELIEFS —
FFMQ_5 It's hard for me to find the words to describe what I am thinking Baseline CLARITY EMOTION_DIFFERENTIATION —
FFMQ_6 I pay attention to physical experiences, such as the wind in my hair or sun on my face Baseline AWARENESS MINDFULNESS —
FFMQ_7 I make judgements about whether my thoughts are good or bad Baseline BELIEF COGNITION —
FFMQ_8 I find it difficult to stay focused on what's happening in the present moment Baseline AWARENESS MINDFULNESS —
FFMQ_9 When I have distressing thoughts or images, I don’t let myself be carried away by them Baseline ACCEPTANCE MINDFULNESS —
FINISHED Whether the baseline was completed Baseline METADATA —
FINISHED Whether the survey was completed ESM METADATA —
GAD7_1 Feeling nervous, anxious, or on edge ESM AFFECT ANXIETY NEGATIVE_AFFECT —
GAD7_2 Not being able to stop or control worrying ESM AFFECT NEGATIVE_AFFECT WORRY —
GAD7_3 Worrying too much about different things ESM AFFECT NEGATIVE_AFFECT WORRY —
GAD7_4 Trouble relaxing ESM AFFECT ANXIETY NEGATIVE_AFFECT —
GAD7_5 Being so restless that it's hard to sit still ESM AFFECT ANXIETY NEGATIVE_AFFECT —
GAD7_6 Becoming easily annoyed or irritable ESM AFFECT IRRITATION NEGATIVE_AFFECT —
GAD7_7 Feeling afraid as if something awful might happen ESM AFFECT FEAR NEGATIVE_AFFECT —
GENDER What is your gender? Baseline DEMOGRAPHICS GENDER —
GENDER_SPECIFY Gender free entry text Baseline DEMOGRAPHICS GENDER —
NATION What is your nationality? Baseline DEMOGRAPHICS NATIONALITY —
RELAT Are you currently in a relationship? Baseline DEMOGRAPHICS RELATIONSHIP —
RESSEMA_1 I try to slow my heart rate and breathing Baseline EMOTION_REGULATION RELAXATION STRATEGY —
RESSEMA_10 I engage in activities to distract myself Baseline DISTRACTION EMOTION_REGULATION STRATEGY —
RESSEMA_11 I make an effort to hide my feelings Baseline EMOTION_REGULATION EXPRESSIVE_SUPPRESSION STRATEGY —
RESSEMA_12 I pretend I am not feeling anything Baseline EMOTION_REGULATION EXPRESSIVE_SUPPRESSION STRATEGY —
RESSEMA_2 I take deep breaths Baseline EMOTION_REGULATION RELAXATION STRATEGY —
RESSEMA_3 I show my feelings Baseline EMOTION_REGULATION EXPRESSION STRATEGY —
RESSEMA_4 I express my feelings Baseline EMOTION_REGULATION EXPRESSION STRATEGY —
RESSEMA_5 I think about the emotional event again and again Baseline EMOTION_REGULATION RUMINATION STRATEGY —
RESSEMA_6 I continually think about what is bothering me Baseline EMOTION_REGULATION RUMINATION STRATEGY —
RESSEMA_7 I think of other ways to interpret the situation Baseline EMOTION_REGULATION REAPPRAISAL STRATEGY —
RESSEMA_8 I look at the situation from several different angles Baseline EMOTION_REGULATION PERSPECTIVE_TAKING STRATEGY —
RESSEMA_9 I engage in something else to keep busy Baseline DISTRACTION EMOTION_REGULATION STRATEGY —
RRS_1 Think “What am I doing to deserve this?” Baseline EMOTION_REGULATION RUMINATION STRATEGY —
RRS_10 Go someplace alone to think about your feelings Baseline EMOTION_REGULATION RUMINATION STRATEGY —
RRS_2 Think “Why do I always react this way?” Baseline EMOTION_REGULATION RUMINATION STRATEGY —
RRS_3 Think about a recent situation, wishing it had gone better Baseline EMOTION_REGULATION RUMINATION STRATEGY —
RRS_4 Think “Why do I have problems other people don’t have?” Baseline EMOTION_REGULATION RUMINATION STRATEGY —
RRS_5 Think “Why can’t I handle things better?” Baseline EMOTION_REGULATION RUMINATION STRATEGY —
RRS_6 Analyse recent events to try to understand why you are depressed Baseline EMOTION_REGULATION REFLECTION STRATEGY —
RRS_7 Go away by yourself and think about why you feel this way Baseline EMOTION_REGULATION REFLECTION STRATEGY —
RRS_8 Write down what you are thinking and analyse it Baseline EMOTION_REGULATION REFLECTION STRATEGY —
RRS_9 Analyse your personality to try to understand why you are depressed Baseline EMOTION_REGULATION REFLECTION STRATEGY —
SCS_1 I have an important secret that I haven't shared with anyone Baseline SECRECY —
SCS_10 I have negative thoughts about myself that I never share with anyone Baseline SECRECY SELF SELF_ESTEEM —
SCS_2 If I shared all my secrets with my friends, they'd like me less Baseline BELIEF SECRECY SOCIAL_DESIRABILITY —
SCS_3 There are lots of things about me that I keep to myself Baseline SECRECY —
SCS_4 Some of my secrets have really tormented me Baseline AFFECT NEGATIVE_AFFECT SECRECY —
SCS_5 When something bad happens to me, I tend to keep it to myself Baseline SECRECY —
SCS_6 I am often afraid I'll reveal something I don't want to Baseline BELIEF FEAR SECRECY —
SCS_7 Telling a secret often backfires and I wish I hadn't told it Baseline BELIEF SECRECY —
SCS_8 I have a secret that is so private I would lie if anybody asked me about it Baseline CONCEALMENT SECRECY —
SCS_9 My secrets are too embarrassing to share with others Baseline BELIEF EMBARRASSMENT SECRECY —
SECRECT_MW_CONTENT_1 How to conceal the secret ESM CONCEALMENT SECRECY —
SECRECT_MW_CONTENT_2 How to disclose the secret ESM HELP_SEEK SECRECY —
SECRECT_MW_CONTENT_3 What other people might think about the secret ESM BELIEF SECRECY SOCIAL_DESIRABILITY —
SECRECT_MW_CONTENT_4 Fantasizing or daydreaming about the secret ESM MIND_WANDERING SECRECY —
SECRECT_MW_CONTENT_5 Worries or concerns related to the secret ESM AFFECT SECRECY WORRY —
SECRECT_MW_CONTENT_6 Trying to find a solution to a problem related to the secret ESM PROBLEM_SOLVING SECRECY —
SECRECT_MW_CONTENT_7 Trying to feel better about the secret ESM EMOTION_REGULATION EMOTION_REGULATION_EFFORT —
SECRECT_MW_CONTENT_8 Other ESM CONCEALMENT SECRECY —
SECRECT_MW_CONTENT_9 I did not think about this secret today ESM MIND_WANDERING SECRECY —
SECRECT_MW_DELIBERATE_1 Today, I allowed my thoughts to wander to the secret on purpose ESM MIND_WANDERING SECRECY —
SECRECT_MW_DELIBERATE_2 Today, I enjoyed mind-wandering to the secret ESM MIND_WANDERING POSITIVE_AFFECT SECRECY —
SECRECT_MW_SPONTANEOUS_1 Today, it felt like I did not have control over when my mind wandered to the secret ESM MIND_WANDERING SECRECY SELF_CONTROL —
SECRECT_MW_SPONTANEOUS_2 Today, my mind wandered to the secret even when I was supposed to be doing something else ESM COGNITION MIND_WANDERING SECRECY —
SECRET_ACPT1 When I felt emotions about the secret, I understood it was OK to feel that way about the secret ESM ACCEPTANCE SECRECY SELF_COMPASSION —
SECRET_ACPT2 I allowed myself to feel emotions about the secret without trying to change how I felt ESM ACCEPTANCE SECRECY —
SECRET_ANG Angry ESM AFFECT ANGER NEGATIVE_AFFECT —
SECRET_ANX Anxious ESM AFFECT ANXIETY NEGATIVE_AFFECT —
SECRET_BORED Bored ESM AFFECT BORED —
SECRET_CONCEAL How many times in the past 2 weeks (14 days) did you find yourself concealing your secret (i.e. holding the secret back to avoid revealing it)? Take your best guess and enter only a number. Baseline CONCEALMENT SECRECY —
SECRET_CONCEAL How many times did you find yourself concealing the secret today (i.e., holding the secret back to avoid revealing it) ? Take your best guess and enter only a number. ESM CONCEALMENT SECRECY —
SECRET_CONCEAL_COWORK Who did you conceal the secret from today? (select all that apply): Co-worker/classmate ESM RELATIONSHIP SECRECY —
SECRET_CONCEAL_FAMILY Who did you conceal the secret from today? (select all that apply): Family member ESM RELATIONSHIP SECRECY —
SECRET_CONCEAL_FRIEND Who did you conceal the secret from today? (select all that apply): Friend ESM RELATIONSHIP SECRECY —
SECRET_CONCEAL_HOUSEMATE Who did you conceal the secret from today? (select all that apply): Housemate (not a family member or friend) ESM RELATIONSHIP SECRECY —
SECRET_CONCEAL_HOW_1 How did you prevent yourself from revealing the secret today? (select all that apply): I put effort in monitoring what I was saying ESM CONCEALMENT SECRECY —
SECRET_CONCEAL_HOW_2 How did you prevent yourself from revealing the secret today? (select all that apply): I tried and stirred the conversation away from topics related to the secret ESM CONCEALMENT SECRECY —
SECRET_CONCEAL_HOW_3 How did you prevent yourself from revealing the secret today? (select all that apply): I dodged questions directly about the secret ESM CONCEALMENT SECRECY —
SECRET_CONCEAL_HOW_4 How did you prevent yourself from revealing the secret today? (select all that apply): I revealed some information without telling the secret ESM CONCEALMENT SECRECY —
SECRET_CONCEAL_HOW_5 How did you prevent yourself from revealing the secret today? (select all that apply): I lied about/denied the secret ESM CONCEALMENT SECRECY —
SECRET_CONCEAL_HOW_6 How did you prevent yourself from revealing the secret today? (select all that apply): Other ESM CONCEALMENT SECRECY —
SECRET_CONCEAL_HOW_7 How did you prevent yourself from revealing the secret today? (select all that apply): I did not conceal this secret today ESM CONCEALMENT SECRECY —
SECRET_CONCEAL_NEIGHB Who did you conceal the secret from today? (select all that apply): Neighbour ESM RELATIONSHIP SECRECY —
SECRET_CONCEAL_NONE Who did you conceal the secret from today? (select all that apply): I did not conceal this secret today ESM RELATIONSHIP SECRECY —
SECRET_CONCEAL_OTHER Who did you conceal the secret from today? (select all that apply): Other ESM RELATIONSHIP SECRECY —
SECRET_CONCEAL_PARTNER Who did you conceal the secret from today? (select all that apply): Romantic partner ESM RELATIONSHIP SECRECY —
SECRET_CONCEAL_STRANGER Who did you conceal the secret from today? (select all that apply): A stranger ESM RELATIONSHIP SECRECY —
SECRET_CONC_OTHERS At the times when you found yourself concealing the secret today, were you... ESM SECRECY SITUATION_CONTEXT —
SECRET_CONFIDE Did you confide in or discuss the secret with anyone today? ESM HELP_SEEK SECRECY —
SECRET_CONFIDE_COWORK Today, who did you confide in or discuss this secret with? Select all that apply: Co-worker/classmate ESM HELP_SEEK RELATIONSHIP SECRECY SECRET_CONFIDE
SECRET_CONFIDE_FAMILY Today, who did you confide in or discuss this secret with? Select all that apply: Family member ESM HELP_SEEK RELATIONSHIP SECRECY SECRET_CONFIDE
SECRET_CONFIDE_FRIEND Today, who did you confide in or discuss this secret with? Select all that apply: Friend ESM HELP_SEEK RELATIONSHIP SECRECY SECRET_CONFIDE
SECRET_CONFIDE_HOUSEMATE Today, who did you confide in or discuss this secret with? Select all that apply: Housemate (not a family member or friend) ESM HELP_SEEK RELATIONSHIP SECRECY SECRET_CONFIDE
SECRET_CONFIDE_NEIGHB Today, who did you confide in or discuss this secret with? Select all that apply: Neighbour ESM HELP_SEEK RELATIONSHIP SECRECY SECRET_CONFIDE
SECRET_CONFIDE_OTHER Today, who did you confide in or discuss this secret with? Select all that apply: Other (please specify) ESM HELP_SEEK RELATIONSHIP SECRECY SECRET_CONFIDE
SECRET_CONFIDE_PARTNER Today, who did you confide in or discuss this secret with? Select all that apply: Romantic partner ESM HELP_SEEK RELATIONSHIP SECRECY SECRET_CONFIDE
SECRET_CONFIDE_STRANGER Today, who did you confide in or discuss this secret with? Select all that apply: A stranger ESM HELP_SEEK RELATIONSHIP SECRECY SECRET_CONFIDE
SECRET_CONFIDE_WHO_TEXT Text entry for SECRECT_CONFIDE_OTHER ESM HELP_SEEK SECRECY SECRET_CONFIDE
SECRET_DISAP Disappointed ESM AFFECT DISAPPOINTMENT NEGATIVE_AFFECT —
SECRET_DISCOVER This secret is discoverable Baseline BELIEF SECRECY —
SECRET_DISGUST Digusted ESM AFFECT DISGUST NEGATIVE_AFFECT —
SECRET_DIST1 I distracted myself from my emotions about the secret ESM DISTRACTION EMOTION_REGULATION SECRECY —
SECRET_DIST2 I engaged in activities to distract myself from thinking about the secret ESM DISTRACTION EMOTION_REGULATION SECRECY —
SECRET_EMB Embarrassed ESM AFFECT EMBARRASSMENT NEGATIVE_AFFECT —
SECRET_ENTH Enthusiastic ESM AFFECT ENTHUSIASTIC POSITIVE_AFFECT —
SECRET_ENVY Envious ESM AFFECT ENVY NEGATIVE_AFFECT —
SECRET_EXCIT Excited ESM AFFECT EXCITEMENT POSITIVE_AFFECT —
SECRET_FEEL How do you feel about this secret? Baseline AFFECT VALENCE —
SECRET_GRAT Grateful ESM AFFECT GRATITUDE POSITIVE_AFFECT —
SECRET_GUILT Guilty ESM AFFECT GUILT NEGATIVE_AFFECT —
SECRET_HAP Happy ESM AFFECT HAPPINESS POSITIVE_AFFECT —
SECRET_HARM Keeping this secret is harmful to at least one of my relationships Baseline RELATIONSHIP SECRECY —
SECRET_HOPE Hopeful ESM AFFECT HOPE POSITIVE_AFFECT —
SECRET_IMMORAL Keeping this secret is immoral Baseline APPRAISAL OUGHT —
SECRET_IMPACT If discovered, the secret would have a big impact Baseline APPRAISAL IMPORTANCE —
SECRET_INTENTION Today, I intended to bring the secret to mind ESM COGNITION REFLECTION —
SECRET_INTRUSION Today, when the secret came to mind, it felt intrusive ESM EMOTION_REGULATION RUMINATION STRATEGY —
SECRET_IRR Irritated ESM AFFECT IRRITATION NEGATIVE_AFFECT —
SECRET_ISOLATION Today, when it came to my secret, I felt isolated. ESM AFFECT LONELINESS —
SECRET_KEEP I feel able to keep this secret Baseline SECRECY SELF_EFFICACY —
SECRET_LONE Today, when it came to my secret, I felt lonely. ESM AFFECT LONELINESS —
SECRET_MINDWANDER How many times in the past 2 weeks (14 days) did you find yourself thinking about your secret? Take your best guess and enter only a number. Baseline COGNITION RUMINATION —
SECRET_MINDWANDER How many times did you find yourself thinking about your secret today? Take your best guess and enter only a number. ESM COGNITION RUMINATION —
SECRET_MW_OTHERS At the times when you found yourself thinking about this secret today, were you... ESM AWARENESS COGNITION —
SECRET_NEW This secret is new Baseline EVENT SITUATION_CONTEXT —
SECRET_NO_MORE Is the information you confided still secret from one or more people? ESM CONCEALMENT SECRECY —
SECRET_PEACE Peaceful ESM AFFECT PEACE POSITIVE_AFFECT —
SECRET_PERSONAL This secret is about me Baseline SELF —
SECRET_PROTECT Keeping this secret protects at least one of my relationships Baseline RELATIONSHIP SECRECY —
SECRET_PROUD Proud ESM AFFECT POSITIVE_AFFECT PRIDE —
SECRET_REAP1 I changed my perspective or the way I was thinking about the secret ESM EMOTION_REGULATION REAPPRAISAL STRATEGY —
SECRET_REAP2 I looked at the situation concerning the secret from several different angles ESM EMOTION_REGULATION PERSPECTIVE_TAKING STRATEGY —
SECRET_REASON I know why I am keeping this secret Baseline MOTIVE SECRECY —
SECRET_RECALL Do you remember what this secret is? ESM COGNITION —
SECRET_REVEAL How many times in the past 2 weeks (14 days) did you confide in or discuss the secret with someone? Take your best guess and enter only a number. Baseline SOCIAL SOCIAL_SHARING —
secret_reveal_plan Do you plan to reveal this secret at some point in the future? Baseline APPRAISAL FUTURE_EXPECTANCY —
SECRET_RLX Relaxed ESM AFFECT POSITIVE_AFFECT RELAXATION —
SECRET_RUM1 I thought about how I feel about the secret again and again ESM EMOTION_REGULATION RUMINATION STRATEGY —
SECRET_RUM2 I continually thought about what was bothering me about the secret ESM EMOTION_REGULATION RUMINATION STRATEGY —
SECRET_SAD Sad ESM AFFECT NEGATIVE_AFFECT SADNESS —
SECRET_SHAM Ashamed ESM AFFECT NEGATIVE_AFFECT SHAME —
SECRET_SIGNIFICANCE How significant is this secret? Baseline APPRAISAL IMPORTANCE —
SECRET_SOCSHR1 I told others what the secret meant to me ESM EXPRESSION SOCIAL SOCIAL_SHARING —
SECRET_SOCSHR2 I talked to others about my emotions concerning the secret ESM EXPRESSION SOCIAL SOCIAL_SHARING —
SecretsScore Total score from each category of CSQ Baseline STRATEGY —
SECRET_SUPR1 I made an effort to hide my feelings about the secret ESM CONCEALMENT EMOTION_REGULATION STRATEGY —
SECRET_SUPR2 I pretended I wasn’t feeling any emotion about the secret ESM EMOTION_REGULATION EXPRESSIVE_SUPPRESSION STRATEGY —
SECRET_TARGET_ALL Who are you keeping this secret from? (select all that apply) Baseline RELATIONSHIP SECRECY —
SECRET_TARGET_COWORKER Who are you keeping this secret from? (select all that apply) Baseline RELATIONSHIP SECRECY —
SECRET_TARGET_FAMILY Who are you keeping this secret from? (select all that apply) Baseline RELATIONSHIP SECRECY —
SECRET_TARGET_FRIEND Who are you keeping this secret from? (select all that apply) Baseline RELATIONSHIP SECRECY —
SECRET_TARGET_HOUSEMATE Who are you keeping this secret from? (select all that apply) Baseline RELATIONSHIP SECRECY —
SECRET_TARGET_NEIGHB Who are you keeping this secret from? (select all that apply) Baseline RELATIONSHIP SECRECY —
SECRET_TARGET_OTHER Who are you keeping this secret from? (select all that apply) Baseline RELATIONSHIP SECRECY —
SECRET_TARGET_PARTNER Who are you keeping this secret from? (select all that apply) Baseline RELATIONSHIP SECRECY —
SECRET_TARGET_STRANGER Who are you keeping this secret from? (select all that apply) Baseline RELATIONSHIP SECRECY —
SOCSHR_1 I tell others what the event meant to me Baseline EXPRESSION SOCIAL SOCIAL_SHARING —
SOCSHR_2 I talk to others about my emotions concerning the event Baseline EXPRESSION SOCIAL SOCIAL_SHARING —
SSGS_1 Bad about something I have done ESM AFFECT GUILT NEGATIVE_AFFECT —
SSGS_2 Tension about something I have done ESM AFFECT GUILT NEGATIVE_AFFECT —
SSGS_3 Remorse and regret about something I have done ESM AFFECT GUILT NEGATIVE_AFFECT —
SSGS_4 Like I am a bad person ESM AFFECT NEGATIVE_AFFECT SHAME —
SSGS_5 Worthless and small ESM SELF SELF_ESTEEM —
SSGS_6 Helpless and powerless ESM SELF SELF_EFFICACY —
START_DATE_TIME Baseline start date and time Baseline METADATA —
STARTED_DATE_TIME Baseline start date and time Baseline METADATA —
SURVEY_COMPLETED Whether the daily survey was complete on each day ESM METADATA —
SURVEY_DAY Study day ESM METADATA —
TOTAL_DURATION Baseline duration (in seconds) Baseline METADATA —
TOTAL_SURVEYS_COMPLETED Number of daily surveys completed ESM METADATA —

Publications

Main Publication

Regulating emotions about secrets.

Title:
Regulating emotions about secrets.
Authors:
Bianchi, Valentina, Greenaway, Katharine H., Slepian, Michael L., Kalokerinos, Elise K.
Year of publication:
2024
Publication name:
Emotion
Volume number:
24
Issue number:
6
Page numbers:
1386–1402
DOI or URL:
https://doi.org/10.1037/emo0001357
Publication type:
Refereed Journal Article

IS 22/01/2026: Date and Time Local variables now correspond to the time the daily surveys were scheduled/started instead of completed. Completed Date and Time variables now labelled as COMPLETED_DATE and COMPLETED_TIME.

IS 05/03/2026: ID variables in UUID column are now randomly generated ID's