| This study tested a cycle of concealment model in families. Confirming the model, a family member’s past verbally aggressive reactions to revelations influenced the extent to which the family member was estimated to react negatively to revealing a secret. These factors also attenuated closeness toward family members. In addition, expectations of negative reactions to a revelation and the extent to which those expectations were violated after the secret was revealed influenced closeness with the family member and future willingness to reveal secrets. Counter to the model, however, secret disclosure did not affect closeness. Feelings of closeness toward the family member also did not predict revelation of the secret. |