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13 Rev. Eur. Stud. 26 (2021)
Young Adults' Perceptions of Online Self-Disclosure

handle is hein.journals/rveurost13 and id is 26 raw text is: Review of European Studies; Vol. 13, No.1; 2021 ISSN 1918-7173 E-ISSN 1918-7181 Published by Canadian Center of Science and Education Young Adults' Perceptions of Online Self-Disclosure Megan A. Edwards, John G. Howcroft' & Tania Lambert' Department of Psychology, Nelson Mandela University, Port Elizabeth, South Africa Correspondence: Megan A. Edwards, Department of Psychology, Nelson Mandela University, ZA, Port Elizabeth 6031, South Africa. E-mail: meganalthea29@gmail.com Received: February 3, 2020 Accepted: December 18, 2020 Online Published: January 14, 2021 doi:10.5539/res.vl3n1p26 URL: https://doi.org/10.5539/res.vl3n1p26 Abstract Online communication has become the primary instrument utilised by many individuals to maintain and form relationships, and self-disclosure plays an important role in the formation of close relationships online. An extensive amount of research has investigated the experiences of adolescents online. However, available knowledge about the influence of social media on young adults within the South African context is limited. Consequently, exploring young adults' perceptions of online self-disclosure becomes more relevant. The aim of this study was to explore and describe young adults' perceptions of online self-disclosure, specifically exploring what young adults' self-disclose online and what psychosocial factors impact thereupon. The present study utilised a qualitative approach and was exploratory and descriptive in design. The sample size of the present study was 13, and semi-structured interviews were utilised as the method of data collection. The data obtained was analysed using thematic analysis and six main themes were identified. This article highlights one of those themes, namely Online Self-disclosure, focusing specifically on the psychosocial factors impacting upon online self-disclosure. Keywords: anonymity, comfort, culture, gender, intimacy, online self-disclosure, personality, qualitative research, reciprocity, trust 1. Introduction Traditionally, communication occurred face-to-face, via telephone or by mail (Day, 2013). However, with recent advances in technology, interpersonal communication has shifted beyond the immediacy of face-to-face communication. Such technological advances have resulted in the rapid growth of Social Network Sites (SNSs) and have altered the manner in which one meets new people and establishes and maintains relationships (Day, 2013). Most individuals find the online setting for meeting others appealing, as it offers them the opportunity to meet individuals outside of their social circle, to meet individuals even with time limitations, and to meet and interact with others in a setting that is low-key and less anxiety-provoking (Campbell & Murray, 2015). Geographic mobility is typically one of the key reasons for friendships to dissolve, but, regardless of changes in physical proximity and the regularity of communication, individuals can maintain a form of intimacy with strong relationships which have a vast history of interaction (Shklovski, Kraut, & Cummings, 2008). With the recent advances in technology, long distance communication has become easy as well as affordable for most individuals (Shklovski et al., 2008). Nowadays, relationships are no longer restricted to individuals living in the same region, as modern communication technology has made it easier for individuals to maintain relationships over long distances (Utz, 2007). SNSs thus allow individuals to find partners independent of their geographic location, and maintain relationships and high school connections as they shift from one offline region to another (Shah, Shah, & Sivitonides, 2012). Online individuals can also instantly share videos, music, pictures and other links, which may promote the formation of intimacy and the progression of relationships. According to Froneman (2016) online relationships frequently occur in a reversed sequence. Individuals connect online in the absence of physical proximity or initial physical attraction, but continue to learn about each other, develop a sense of intimacy and then make contact face-to-face. Some individuals never make physical contact in an offline context (Kozlencova, Palmatier, Fang, Xiao, & Huang, 2017). In contrast, the progression of offline interpersonal relationships proceed from the initial encounter which is based on spatial proximity and physical attractiveness, to the exploration of similarities and to self-disclosure. Online individuals are forced to depend on self-disclosure due to the lack of other strategies that are often utilised in the offline setting (Froneman, 2016). 2. Self-Disclosure Self-disclosure occurs when an individual discloses personal information about themselves to another individual (Attrill, 26

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