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 wwas 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:
---
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:
Imogen Smith
Contact email:
imogen.smith.1@unimelb.edu.au
Selection Variable Info Assessment type Constructs
SURVEY_DAY Study day ESM
DURATION_TOTAL Time taken to complete daily survey ESM
FINISHED Whether the survey was completed ESM
SECRET_RECALL Do you remember what this secret is? ESM
SECRET_MINDWANDER How many times did you find yourself thinking about your secret today? Take your best guess and enter only a number. ESM
SECRET_MW_OTHERS At the times when you found yourself thinking about this secret today, were you... ESM
SECRECT_MW_CONTENT_1 How to conceal the secret ESM
SECRECT_MW_CONTENT_2 How to disclose the secret ESM
SECRECT_MW_CONTENT_3 What other people might think about the secret ESM
SECRECT_MW_CONTENT_4 Fantasizing or daydreaming about the secret ESM
SECRECT_MW_CONTENT_5 Worries or concerns related to the secret ESM
SECRECT_MW_CONTENT_6 Trying to find a solution to a problem related to the secret ESM
SECRECT_MW_CONTENT_7 Trying to feel better about the secret ESM
SECRECT_MW_CONTENT_8 Other ESM
SECRECT_MW_CONTENT_9 I did not think about this secret today ESM
SECRET_INTRUSION Today, when the secret came to mind, it felt intrusive ESM
SECRET_INTENTION Today, I intended to bring the secret to mind ESM
SECRECT_MW_SPONTANEOUS_1 Today, it felt like I did not have control over when my mind wandered to the secret ESM
SECRECT_MW_SPONTANEOUS_2 Today, my mind wandered to the secret even when I was supposed to be doing something else ESM
SECRECT_MW_DELIBERATE_1 Today, I allowed my thoughts to wander to the secret on purpose ESM
SECRECT_MW_DELIBERATE_2 Today, I enjoyed mind-wandering to the secret ESM
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
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
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
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
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
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
SECRET_CONCEAL_HOW_6 How did you prevent yourself from revealing the secret today? (select all that apply) Other ESM
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
SECRET_CONC_OTHERS At the times when you found yourself concealing the secret today, were you... ESM
SECRET_CONCEAL_FRIEND Who did you conceal the secret from today? (select all that apply) Friend ESM
SECRET_CONCEAL_FAMILY Who did you conceal the secret from today? (select all that apply) Family member ESM
SECRET_CONCEAL_PARTNER Who did you conceal the secret from today? (select all that apply) Romantic partner ESM
SECRET_CONCEAL_COWORK Who did you conceal the secret from today? (select all that apply) Co-worker/classmate ESM
SECRET_CONCEAL_HOUSEMATE Who did you conceal the secret from today? (select all that apply) Housemate (not a family member or friend) ESM
SECRET_CONCEAL_NEIGHB Who did you conceal the secret from today? (select all that apply) Neighbour ESM
SECRET_CONCEAL_STRANGER Who did you conceal the secret from today? (select all that apply) A stranger ESM
SECRET_CONCEAL_OTHER Who did you conceal the secret from today? (select all that apply) Other ESM
SECRET_CONCEAL_NONE Who did you conceal the secret from today? (select all that apply) I did not conceal this secret today ESM
SECRET_CONFIDE Did you confide in or discuss the secret with anyone today? ESM
SECRET_CONFIDE_FRIEND Today, who did you confide in or discuss this secret with? Friend ESM
SECRET_CONFIDE_FAMILY Today, who did you confide in or discuss this secret with? Family member ESM
SECRET_CONFIDE_PARTNER Today, who did you confide in or discuss this secret with? Romantic partner ESM
SECRET_CONFIDE_COWORK Today, who did you confide in or discuss this secret with? Co-worker/classmate ESM
SECRET_CONFIDE_HOUSEMATE Today, who did you confide in or discuss this secret with? Housemate (not a family member or friend) ESM
SECRET_CONFIDE_NEIGHB Today, who did you confide in or discuss this secret with? Neighbour ESM
SECRET_CONFIDE_STRANGER Today, who did you confide in or discuss this secret with? A stranger ESM
SECRET_CONFIDE_OTHER Today, who did you confide in or discuss this secret with? Other (please specify) ESM
SECRET_CONFIDE_WHO_TEXT Text entry for SECRECT_CONFIDE_TARGET_8 ESM
SECRET_NO_MORE Is the information you confided still secret from one or more people? ESM
SECRET_ISOLATION Today, when it came to my secret, I felt isolated. ESM
SECRET_LONE Today, when it came to my secret, I felt lonely. ESM
SSGS_1 Bad about something I have done ESM
SSGS_2 Tension about something I have done ESM
SSGS_3 Remorse and regret about something I have done ESM
SSGS_4 Like I am a bad person ESM
SSGS_5 Worthless and small ESM
SSGS_6 Helpless and powerless ESM
SECRET_HAP Happy ESM
SECRET_ENTH Enthusiastic ESM
SECRET_PEACE Peaceful ESM
SECRET_HOPE Hopeful ESM
SECRET_SAD Sad ESM
SECRET_ANX Anxious ESM
SECRET_IRR Irritated ESM
SECRET_DISGUST Digusted ESM
SECRET_GUILT Guilty ESM
SECRET_EMB Embarrassed ESM
SECRET_GRAT Grateful ESM
SECRET_EXCIT Excited ESM
SECRET_RLX Relaxed ESM
SECRET_PROUD Proud ESM
SECRET_BORED Bored ESM
SECRET_DISAP Disappointed ESM
SECRET_ANG Angry ESM
SECRET_SHAM Ashamed ESM
SECRET_ENVY Envious ESM
SECRET_REAP1 I changed my perspective or the way I was thinking about the secret ESM
SECRET_REAP2 I looked at the situation concerning the secret from several different angles ESM
SECRET_RUM1 I thought about how I feel about the secret again and again ESM
SECRET_RUM2 I continually thought about what was bothering me about the secret ESM
SECRET_DIST1 I distracted myself from my emotions about the secret ESM
SECRET_DIST2 I engaged in activities to distract myself from thinking about the secret ESM
SECRET_SUPR1 I made an effort to hide my feelings about the secret ESM
SECRET_SUPR2 I pretended I wasn’t feeling any emotion about the secret ESM
SECRET_SOCSHR1 I told others what the secret meant to me ESM
SECRET_SOCSHR2 I talked to others about my emotions concerning the secret ESM
SECRET_ACPT1 When I felt emotions about the secret, I understood it was OK to feel that way about the secret ESM
SECRET_ACPT2 I allowed myself to feel emotions about the secret without trying to change how I felt ESM
SURVEY_COMPLETED Whether the daily survey was complete on each day ESM
TOTAL_SURVEYS_COMPLETED Number of daily surveys completed ESM
COMPLIANCE Percentage compliance of daily surveys ESM
END_DATETIME Baseline end date and time Baseline
TOTAL_DURATION Baseline duration (in seconds) Baseline
STARTED_DATE_TIME Baseline start date and time Baseline
FINISHED Whether the baseline was completed Baseline
GAD7_1 Feeling nervous, anxious, or on edge ESM
GAD7_2 Not being able to stop or control worrying ESM
GAD7_3 Worrying too much about different things ESM
GAD7_4 Trouble relaxing ESM
GAD7_5 Being so restless that it's hard to sit still ESM
GAD7_6 Becoming easily annoyed or irritable ESM
GAD7_7 Feeling afraid as if something awful might happen ESM
CESD_1 I was bothered by things that usually don't bother me. ESM
CESD_2 I did not feel like eating; my appetite was poor. ESM
CESD_3 I felt that I could not shake off the blues even with help from my family or friends. ESM
CESD_4 I felt I was just as good as other people. ESM
CESD_5 I had trouble keeping my mind on what I was doing. ESM
CESD_6 I felt depressed. ESM
CESD_7 I felt that everything I did was an effort. ESM
CESD_8 I felt hopeful about the future. ESM
CESD_9 I thought my life had been a failure. ESM
CESD_10 I felt fearful. ESM
CESD_11 My sleep was restless. ESM
CESD_12 I was happy. ESM
CESD_13 I talked less than usual. ESM
CESD_14 I felt lonely. ESM
CESD_15 People were unfriendly. ESM
CESD_16 I enjoyed life. ESM
CESD_17 I had crying spells. ESM
CESD_18 I felt sad. ESM
CESD_19 I felt that people dislike me. ESM
CESD_20 I could not get "going." ESM
ERQ_1 When I want to feel more positive emotion (such as joy or amusement), I change what I’m thinking about Baseline
ERQ_2 I keep my emotions to myself Baseline
ERQ_3 When I want to feel less negative emotion (such as sadness or anger), I change what I’m thinking about Baseline
ERQ_4 When I am feeling positive emotions, I am careful not to express them Baseline
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
ERQ_6 I control my emotions by not expressing them Baseline
ERQ_7 When I want to feel more positive emotion, I change the way I’m thinking about the situation Baseline
ERQ_8 I control my emotions by changing the way I think about the situation I’m in Baseline
ERQ_9 When I am feeling negative emotions, I make sure not to express them Baseline
ERQ_10 When I want to feel less negative emotion, I change the way I’m thinking about the situation Baseline
RESSEMA_1 I try to slow my heart rate and breathing Baseline
RESSEMA_2 I take deep breaths Baseline
RESSEMA_3 I show my feelings Baseline
RESSEMA_4 I express my feelings Baseline
RESSEMA_5 I think about the emotional event again and again Baseline
RESSEMA_6 I continually think about what is bothering me Baseline
RESSEMA_7 I think of other ways to interpret the situation Baseline
RESSEMA_8 I look at the situation from several different angles Baseline
RESSEMA_9 I engage in something else to keep busy Baseline
RESSEMA_10 I engage in activities to distract myself Baseline
RESSEMA_11 I make an effort to hide my feelings Baseline
RESSEMA_12 I pretend I am not feeling anything Baseline
SOCSHR_1 I tell others what the event meant to me Baseline
SOCSHR_2 I talk to others about my emotions concerning the event Baseline
RRS_1 Think “What am I doing to deserve this?” 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
RRS_10 Go someplace alone to think about your feelings Baseline
FFMQ_1 I'm good at finding the words to describe my feelings Baseline
FFMQ_2 I can easily put my beliefs, opinions, and expectations into words Baseline
FFMQ_3 I watch my feelings without getting carried away by them Baseline
FFMQ_4 I tell myself that I shouldn't be feeling the way I am feeling Baseline
FFMQ_5 It's hard for me to find the words to describe what I am thinking Baseline
FFMQ_6 I pay attention to physical experiences, such as the wind in my hair or sun on my face Baseline
FFMQ_7 I make judgements about whether my thoughts are good or bad Baseline
FFMQ_8 I find it difficult to stay focused on what's happening in the present moment Baseline
FFMQ_9 When I have distressing thoughts or images, I don’t let myself be carried away by them Baseline
FFMQ_10 When I feel something in my body, it's hard for me to find the right words to describe it Baseline
FFMQ_11 It seems I am "running on automatic" without much awareness of what I am doing Baseline
FFMQ_12 When I have distressing thoughts or images, I feel calm soon after Baseline
FFMQ_13 I think some of my emotions are bad or inappropriate and I shouldn't feel them Baseline
FFMQ_14 I notice visual elements in art or nature, such as colours, shapes, textures, or patterns of light and shadow Baseline
FFMQ_15 I notice the smells and aromas of things Baseline
FFMQ_16 Even when I am feeling terribly upset, I can find a way to put it into words Baseline
FFMQ_17 I rush through activities without being really attentive to them Baseline
FFMQ_18 Usually when I have distressing thoughts or images I can just notice them without reacting Baseline
SCS_1 I have an important secret that I haven't shared 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
SCS_10 I have negative thoughts about myself that I never share with anyone Baseline
CSQ1_1 Hurt another person (for example, emotionally or physically hurt someone), and kept this secret from someone else Baseline
CSQ1_2 Used illegal drugs, OR abused / addicted to a legal drug (e.g., alcohol, painkillers) 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
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_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
CSQ2_1 Have you ever hidden a hobby or possession? 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
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
SECRET_SIGNIFICANCE How significant is this secret? Baseline
SECRET_TARGET_STRANGER Who are you keeping this secret from? (select all that apply) Baseline
SECRET_TARGET_ALL Who are you keeping this secret from? (select all that apply) Baseline
SECRET_TARGET_FRIEND Who are you keeping this secret from? (select all that apply) Baseline
SECRET_TARGET_FAMILY Who are you keeping this secret from? (select all that apply) Baseline
SECRET_TARGET_PARTNER Who are you keeping this secret from? (select all that apply) Baseline
SECRET_TARGET_COWORKER Who are you keeping this secret from? (select all that apply) Baseline
SECRET_TARGET_HOUSEMATE Who are you keeping this secret from? (select all that apply) Baseline
SECRET_TARGET_NEIGHB Who are you keeping this secret from? (select all that apply) Baseline
SECRET_TARGET_OTHER Who are you keeping this secret from? (select all that apply) Baseline
secret_reveal_plan Do you plan to reveal this secret at some point in the future? Baseline
SECRET_FEEL How do you feel about this secret? Baseline
SECRET_NEW This secret is new Baseline
SECRET_DISCOVER This secret is discoverable Baseline
SECRET_PERSONAL This secret is about me Baseline
SECRET_IMPACT If discovered, the secret would have a big impact Baseline
SECRET_IMMORAL Keeping this secret is immoral Baseline
SECRET_HARM Keeping this secret is harmful to at least one of my relationships Baseline
SECRET_PROTECT Keeping this secret protects at least one of my relationships Baseline
SECRET_REASON I know why I am keeping this secret Baseline
SECRET_KEEP I feel able to keep this secret Baseline
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
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
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
ECR_RC_1 It helps to turn to this person in times of need Baseline
ECR_RC_2 I usually discuss my problems and concerns with this person Baseline
ECR_RC_3 I talk things over with this person Baseline
ECR_RC_4 I find it easy to depend on this person Baseline
ECR_RC_5 I don't feel comfortable opening up to this person Baseline
ECR_RC_6 I prefer not to show this person how I feel deep down Baseline
ECR_RC_7 I often worry that this person doesn't really care for me Baseline
ECR_RC_8 I'm afraid that this person may abandon me Baseline
ECR_RC_9 I worry that this person won't care about me as much as I care about him or her Baseline
AGE What is your age in years? (please enter only a number) Baseline
GENDER What is your gender? Baseline
GENDER_SPECIFY Gender free entry text Baseline
RELAT Are you currently in a relationship? Baseline
ESL Is English your first language? Baseline
SecretsScore Total score from each category of CSQ Baseline
START_DATE_TIME Baseline start date and time Baseline
END_DATE_TIME Baseline complete date and time Baseline
NATION What is your nationality? Baseline
STARTED_DATE_TIME Time and Date daily surveys started ESM