Is self-disclosure a mediator in the relationship between closeness and social safeness?

Human beings have an inherent need to feel socially safe and to experience close social contacts. This suggests a strong connection between emotions and relationships. Some people might have difficulties with interpersonal encounters, especially to feel social safeness. Closeness in relationships leads to the entrustment of personal information, also known as self-disclosure, which can lead to social safeness. It was assumed that self-disclosure is a mediator in the relationship between closeness and social safeness. There were 80 respondents of different ages, nationalities and educational levels, who participated in an online study. Three questionnaires about social safeness, self-disclosure and closeness were used. The mediation analysis regarding to the three concepts revealed a positive relationship between them. Therefore the hypothesis of this study is confirmed and self-disclosure seems to be an important aspect in this relationship. Findings of this study underlie the relationship between closeness and social safeness and seem to support the connection between emotions and relationships. Self-disclosure seems to replace attachment in later stages of life regarding to the relationship between closeness and social safeness. Future research could discuss a mediating role of self-disclosure within the relationship between closeness and social safeness in both positive and negative contexts.