Social sharing of emotion in anticipation of cardiac surgery: Effects on preoperative distress

This study examined associations between social sharing of emotions, social support and preoperative psychological distress. Social sharing was operationalized in terms of quantity and quality. Quantity of social sharing was measured daily using a diary method. Quality of social sharing was measured with the Quality of Sharing Inventory. Participants were 157 hospitalized Greek patients. Hierarchical regression analysis showed that controlling for distress on admission, quality of social sharing was negatively related to distress one day before surgery (p < .01). No effects were found for quantity of social sharing. Results emphasize the importance of studying qualitative aspects of emotional disclosure.