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Effects of social exclusion on self-disclosure: The roles of interpersonal trust and attribution style

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Social exclusion is a common yet understudied phenomenon from the observer's perspective. This study examines how witnessing exclusion affects individuals' willingness to self-disclose and explores the mediating role of interpersonal trust and the moderating role of attribution style. In Study 1, participants exposed to observed exclusion reported significantly lower self-disclosure than those in inclusion conditions. Studies 2a and 2b confirmed that interpersonal trust mediated this effect. Study 3 further showed that attribution style moderated the impact of observed exclusion on trust: trust declined more sharply under external attribution than internal attribution. These findings extend Communication Privacy Management Theory and the Social Information Processing Model, highlighting the cognitive mechanisms by which observers regulate disclosure following exclusion.

Source: Acta Psychologica

DOI: 10.1016/j.actpsy.2026.106350

Authors: Zhiyu Ji, Yuhan Wu, Zeming Wang, Yuqing Zhang, Denghao Zhang

Institution: Renmin University of China

Language: English

Topic: Death Anxiety and Social Exclusion

Subfield: Social Psychology

Field: Psychology

Domain: Social Sciences

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $2,670

Funder: Renmin University of China