Digital Pulse: Reimagining Motivations of Emotional Sharing In the Social Media Era

Emotional experiences, whether positive or negative, often compel individuals to express their emotions or seek social support (Garrison & Kahn, 2010; Rauers & Riediger, 2023). Researches suggest that approximately 90% of individuals engage in emotional sharing with close relational partners (Choi & Toma, 2014; Walter & Haun, 2024), a phenomenon observed across diverse cultural contexts (Singh-Manoux & Finkenauer, 2001). The concept of Social Sharing of Emotion (SSE), introduced by Rimé et al. in the 1990s, refers to the verbalization of emotional experiences through social interaction (Rimé et al., 1991). People engage in SSE for multiple psychological and social purposes, which can be categorized into four primary domains: 1) Intrapersonal functions (e.g., self-reflection and emotional release); 2) Socio-cognitive motives (e.g., making sense of events, problem-solving); 3) Socio-emotional drivers (e.g., seeking support, fostering empathy); 4) Pro-social goals (e.g., raising awareness, warning others) (Rimé et al., 2009). JEL Codes: D83, Z13, Z10 Keywords: Digital Motivation, Emotional Disclosure, Media Affordance, Online Self-Presentation, Social Sharing of Emotion.