The Social Sharing of Emotion (SSE) in Online Social Networks: A Case Study in Live Journal

• In Event: Social Support via Social Media #2

Abstract

Social Sharing of Emotion (SSE) occurs when one person shares an emotional experience with another and is considered potentially beneficial (Rimé, 2009). Though SSE has been shown prevalent in interpersonal communication, research on its occurrence and communication structure in online social networks is lacking. Based on a content analysis of Live Journal blog posts (n = 540), we assess the occurrence and characterize different types of online SSE, and further present a theoretical model of online SSE. A large proportion of emotional expressions were found to conform to SSE, with negative emotional posts outnumbering bivalent and positive posts. Affective feedback predominated to cognitive, and was found to provide emotional support, empathy and admiration in congruence with the valence of the initiating SSE. These findings contribute to a conceptualization of a pro-social form of online emotional sharing, as opposed to a superficial view of emotion sharing in online social networks.

Authors

• Carmina Teresa Rodriguez Hidalgo, University of Amsterdam

• Eduard Sioe-Hao Tan, U of Amsterdam

• Peeter Verlegh, U of Amsterdam