The Influence of Affiliation Needs on Online Self-Disclosure: Understanding Social Motivations Among Emerging Adult Instagram Users

Abstract

The rapid advancement of digital technology has transformed human interaction, with social media platforms like Instagram becoming central to social affiliation and self-expression. Given Instagram’s dominance among young adults, this study examines the relationship between the need for affiliation and online self-disclosure. The study employs a quantitative correlational research design with a sample of emerging adults actively using Instagram. Data were collected using validated scales for both variables and analyzed using Spearman’s Rho correlation. Results indicate a moderate positive correlation (r = 0.421, p < 0.05), showing that individuals with a higher need for affiliation are more likely to engage in online self-disclosure. The study further finds that the need for affiliation accounts for 19% of the variance in online self-disclosure, highlighting its growing significance in digital behavior. These findings contribute to the theoretical understanding of social motivation in online interactions and provide practical insights into balancing self-disclosure and privacy in social media usage. Future research is encouraged to explore additional psychological factors influencing online self-disclosure, such as personality traits, loneliness, and peer influence.