Each year in the United States, over 20 million cases of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are diagnosed, mostly among those in the developmental period of emerging adulthood (ages 18-29). Research on STI disclosure to romantic and sexual partners has increased over the last two decades, but this research has (a) generally lacked a developmental and theoretical focus, (b) not examined disclosure recipients, and (c) not been systematically and critically synthesized. To address these limitations, I conducted a three-part examination. First, I systematically reviewed the STI disclosure literature and summarized findings, critical limitations, and future research and intervention directions. Next, I designed two cross-sectional studies to understand emerging adults’ experiences as receivers of hypothetical (Study 1, N = 243) and actual (Study 2, N = 88) STI disclosures from sexual partners. After developing the STI Disclosure Reactions Measure (SDRM), I conducted exploratory (Study 1) and confirmatory (Study 2) factor analyses. I examined how STI type (bacterial or viral), relationship type (non-committed or committed), and participant gender differentiated reactions. In Study 1, women anticipated more negative reactions and were less likely to anticipate avoiding the discloser. Men anticipated more anxious and guilty reactions in committed relationships, whereas women anticipated more in non-committed relationships. In Study 2, men had more negative, anxious, and guilty reactions when a bacterial STI was disclosed, whereas women’s reactions did not differ based on STI type. Finally, I discuss limitations and implications for future research, sexual health education, intervention, and practice
