Psychometric properties and confirmatory factor analysis of the self-concealment scale

The present study assessed the psychometric properties of the Larson and Chastain (1990) [Larson, D. G. & Chastain, R. L. (1990). Self-concealment: conceptualization, measurement and health implications. Journal of Social ann Clinical Psychology, 9, 439-455.] Self-Concealment Scale. Based on a university student population, internal consistency (alpha=0.83 to 0.87) and retest reliability estimates (r=0.74) suggested good stability both within the instrument and over time. Although exploratory methods suggested two subscales (keeping secrets and personal concealment), both the reliability and confirmatory factor analyses of an independent sample supported scale unidimensionality. Directions for further scale validation research are suggested. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.