Publication Type
Master Thesis
Version
publishedVersion
Publication Date
5-2025
Abstract
Despite the importance of social relationships for well-being, individuals with chronic illness often face barriers that deter them from initiating meaningful connections, such as perceived stigma, fear of rejection, or strained relationships upon a disclosure of their illness. These challenges reveal two key misalignments: overestimated negative (or underestimated positive) expectations of social interactions held by individuals with chronic illness, as well as perceptions held by potential acquaintances. The present study examined how these misalignments hinder social interactions and relationship initiation. Study 1 involved individuals with chronic illness and revealed that participants overestimated the likelihood of awkwardness, disrespect, and rejection, while underestimating interest and connectedness following a social interaction. Study 2 used a vignette-based design with undergraduates imagining a conversation with a disclosing or non-disclosing conversation partner. Results showed that disclosers were rated as more authentic, and participants showed greater respect. These findings highlight how disclosure can foster respect and authenticity but may not fully translate to enhanced connection. Implications and future directions on how addressing these misalignments will foster social interactions are discussed.
Keywords
chronic illness, social interaction, disclosure, stigma, relationship initiation
Degree Awarded
Master of Philosophy in Psychology
Discipline
Social Psychology | Social Psychology and Interaction
Supervisor(s)
TAN, Yu-Yang Kenneth (CHEN Yuyang Kenneth)
First Page
1
Last Page
46
Publisher
Singapore Management University
City or Country
Singapore
Citation
PATRICIA, Janice.
More than meets the eye: Misaligned expectations in social interactions for individuals with chronic illness. (2025). 1-46.
Available at: https://ink.library.smu.edu.sg/etd_coll/771
Copyright Owner and License
Author
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 International License.