Abstract:

This paper attempts to review the overseas researches on self-disclosure of SNS users over the past decade and filters 47 researches through Web of Science, then analyzes these theories and factors in the literature selected according to the mature standards. Eight established theories are identified in existing researches, and we focus on privacy calculation, theory of planned behavior, personality traits and attachment theory. The different factors being analyzed are summarized into two aspects: the benefit, cost and cost-mitigating factors of self-disclosure; and the factors concerning users and social influence. Implications for future research are also discussed.

Key words: Social networking sites, Self-disclosure, Cost-benefit, Privacy calculation, Theory of planned behavior, Personality traits, Attachment theory