Mijn geheim: De kosten en baten van geheimen voor ouders in de adolescentie

Abstract

Traditional views regard secrecy as problematic and associated research among adults almost exclusively focuses on its physical and psychological costs for the secret-keeper. Contrary to this negative view on secrecy, the present paper proposes that secrecy may have developmental functions that bear particular importance in the period of adolescence. Specifically, it should contribute to adolescents' feeling of autonomy and independence from parents. A cross-sectional study was conducted to examine the links between secrecy and psychosocial well-being and development among 227 adolescents. Results showed that keeping secrets from parents is associated with physical and psychological costs in adolescence. Confirming the prediction that secrecy may have developmental benefits, however, secrecy contributed to adolescents' emotional autonomy.