Online Self-Disclosure: Opportunities for Enriching Existing Friendships

Background

According to the interpersonal process model of intimacy, intimacy is the product of a transactional, interpersonal process in which two fundamental components of intimacy are self-disclosure and partner responsiveness (Laurenceau, Barrett, & Pietromonaco, 1998; Reis & Patrick, 1996; Reis & Shaver, 1988). According to this perspective, intimacy develops on an interaction-by-interaction basis, where an individual discloses personally relevant information, thoughts and feelings to a partner, and receives a response, which is interpreted as the partner’s understanding, validating, and caring (Reis & Patrick, 1996). Mutual disclosure leads to greater liking and feelings of closeness and contributes to healthy social development (Chan & Lee, 2014; Sprecher, Treger, Wondra, Hilaire, & Wallpe, 2013). Over time, individuals interpret and assimilate their experiences in these interactions, and form a general perception of the degree to which the friendship is intimate and meaningful (Reis, 1994). Recently, adolescents and young adults have turned to the Internet to help meet their need for self-disclosure.