From shares to social ties: social media self-disclosure, self-presentation, and social benefits in a collectivistic cultural setting
From shares to social ties: social media self-disclosure, self-presentation, and social benefits in a collectivistic cultural setting
Drawing on Uses and Gratifications Theory, this study investigates the link between social media self-disclosure and self-presentation, and perceived interpersonal benefits. Whereas self-disclosure involves communicating personal facts, self-presentation describes selectively using self-enhancing information to influence others’ impressions. We conducted a cross-sectional survey with participants from Brazil (n = 216) and Indonesia (n = 227), examining whether findings from predominantly individualistic samples generalise to collectivistic contexts. Taking the novel approach of considering self-presentation and self-disclosure simultaneously, we aimed to clarify their distinct contributions. Both were positively associated with perceived interpersonal outcomes: relationship maintenance, initiation, closeness, attention, validation, popularity, social support. An exploratory examination of behavioural dimensions (e.g., valence, honesty, intimacy) revealed further nuances and highlighted conceptual differences between the two. Our study extends previous literature by replicating findings in collectivistic contexts and furthers understanding of how social media behaviours support interpersonal goals.
interpersonal benefits, interpersonal relationships, self-disclosure, self-presentation, social media, social networking sites
Surariu, Carmen
eb0ca056-4ec7-4811-bc97-50f308beb7de
Carnelley, Kathy
02a55020-a0bc-480e-a0ff-c8fe56ee9c36
Hart, Claire
e3db9c72-f493-439c-a358-b3b482d55103
1 June 2026
Surariu, Carmen
eb0ca056-4ec7-4811-bc97-50f308beb7de
Carnelley, Kathy
02a55020-a0bc-480e-a0ff-c8fe56ee9c36
Hart, Claire
e3db9c72-f493-439c-a358-b3b482d55103
Surariu, Carmen, Carnelley, Kathy and Hart, Claire
(2026)
From shares to social ties: social media self-disclosure, self-presentation, and social benefits in a collectivistic cultural setting.
Personal Relationships, 33 (2), [e70064].
(doi:10.1111/pere.70064).
Abstract
Drawing on Uses and Gratifications Theory, this study investigates the link between social media self-disclosure and self-presentation, and perceived interpersonal benefits. Whereas self-disclosure involves communicating personal facts, self-presentation describes selectively using self-enhancing information to influence others’ impressions. We conducted a cross-sectional survey with participants from Brazil (n = 216) and Indonesia (n = 227), examining whether findings from predominantly individualistic samples generalise to collectivistic contexts. Taking the novel approach of considering self-presentation and self-disclosure simultaneously, we aimed to clarify their distinct contributions. Both were positively associated with perceived interpersonal outcomes: relationship maintenance, initiation, closeness, attention, validation, popularity, social support. An exploratory examination of behavioural dimensions (e.g., valence, honesty, intimacy) revealed further nuances and highlighted conceptual differences between the two. Our study extends previous literature by replicating findings in collectivistic contexts and furthers understanding of how social media behaviours support interpersonal goals.
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Personal Relationships - 2026 - Șurariu - From Shares to Social Ties Social Media Self‐Disclosure Self‐Presentation and
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Accepted/In Press date: 21 April 2026
Published date: 1 June 2026
Additional Information:
Publisher Copyright:
© 2026 The Author(s). Personal Relationships published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of International Association for Relationship Research.
Keywords:
interpersonal benefits, interpersonal relationships, self-disclosure, self-presentation, social media, social networking sites
Identifiers
Local EPrints ID: 511825
URI: http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/511825
ISSN: 1350-4126
PURE UUID: fea09a81-8756-4bb4-81bf-f9322ba962cd
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Date deposited: 04 Jun 2026 16:38
Last modified: 05 Jun 2026 02:05
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Author:
Carmen Surariu
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