Title: Why do people disclose themselves on social networking sites? Evidence from Vietnamese Facebook users

Authors: Nam Tien Duong

Addresses: Ho Chi Minh City University of Economics and Finance (UEF), 141-145 Dien Bien Phu, Ward 15, Binh Thanh District, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

Abstract: Based on the theory of personal needs, this study aimed to understand how individual self-presentation and interpersonal needs formed by social networking sites (SNSs) influence self-disclosure to friends. Besides, the study would like to examine whether there are differences in personal self-disclosure due to personality traits. Specifically, the research model used two personality traits (extraversion and narcissism) as moderators. Furthermore, we conducted a questionnaire survey with 532 Facebook users. All the hypotheses are tested using SPSS and Smart PLS. The findings showed that: 1) self-presentation, expressed inclusion, wanted affection, and express affection positively influence self-disclosure; 2) wanted inclusion negatively influences self-disclosure; 3) personality traits with high and low extroversion and narcissism also have different effects on users' self-disclosure. Finally, the study provides SNS operators with information to improve user interaction quality and enrich social networking sites' content.

Keywords: self-disclosure; self-presentation; interpersonal needs; personal trait; social networking sites; SNSs; Facebook.

DOI: 10.1504/IJKL.2025.145086

International Journal of Knowledge and Learning, 2025 Vol.18 No.2, pp.186 - 203

Received: 16 Aug 2022
Accepted: 08 Sep 2023
Published online: 19 Mar 2025 *

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