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Disclosing an Invisible Disability During a Romantic Relationship: Schizophrenia and Epilepsy

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Abstract

This study aims to examine the effect of disclosing an invisible disability on the partner’s willingness to continue a relationship, as a function of the type of disability disclosed, the timing of its disclosure, gender, and the negative affects the disclosure aroused. A total of 311 college students without disabilities read a randomized scenario in which the subject of the evaluation was exposed to the partner’s invisible disability, and then completed the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule to measure the subject of evaluation's affects following the disclosure. Finally, participants rated the subject of evaluation’s degree of willingness to continue the relationship. The associations among variables were analyzed using a “moderated moderated” mediation model in an SPSS macro named PROCESS. Differences in negative affect as a function of gender were observed, such that women reported higher negative affect than men. The negative affects aroused by the disclosure mediated the relationship between the type of invisible disability disclosed and the partner’s willingness to continue the relationship. Among women, only the timing of the disclosure was a moderator in the association between the type of disability, negative affect, and willingness to continue the relationship. Our findings provide evidence expanding our understanding of how self-disclosure may impact the formation of romantic relationships among people with disabilities. Results also highlight the need to empower individuals with disabilities and support their natural need to establish intimate relationships, leading the way for social inclusion.

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  1. Department of Behavioral Sciences, Ariel University, 12 Bar Ilan St., 4370106, Ra’anana, Israel

    Elie Mimoun & Daniella Margalit

  2. Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, 44 Benayahu St., 6908444, Tel Aviv, Israel

    Daniella Margalit

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  1. Elie Mimoun
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The work reported in this manuscript comply with APA ethical standards. The procedure was in accordance with the standards of the national law of data treatment followed by Ariel University, Israel (12.09.19/AU-SOC-DN-2019091). Since there was no medical treatment or other procedures that cause psychological or social discomfort to participants, additional ethical approval was not required by the institution.

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Appendix A

Appendix A

Before you is a vignette of Noam and Daniel's dating relationship. Read it and answer the following questions. Please note that Noam and Daniel are non-gendered names, which means they could be either men and/or women.

To find “The one,” Daniel signed up for the well-known dating site “Soul Mate.” After 3 months, Daniel received a message from Noam. The message said: “Hey Daniel! My name is Noam, I saw your profile on ‘Soul Mate.’ I would like to meet you and get to know you better!” After a quick look at Noam’s profile, Daniel decided to give it a try. They exchanged phone numbers and had a good, friendly conversation. It was arranged that they would meet at a neighborhood café, for a first date.

When they met, Daniel had the impression that Noam is kind, respectful, and a good listener. The connection and communication between them were good, and Daniel was happy to find out that Noam felt the same way. They decided to schedule a second date.

On their second date, they talked about their experiences in college. Noam said, “it was a fun time. I met good people, and the lecturers were great. When I missed the midterm, they agreed to give me a makeup exam. Why did I miss the midterm? I was not feeling well; I had an epileptic seizure. Nowadays I feel good.”

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Mimoun, E., Margalit, D. Disclosing an Invisible Disability During a Romantic Relationship: Schizophrenia and Epilepsy. Sex Disabil 41, 63–80 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11195-023-09774-2

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