Emotional intelligence and self-disclosure strategies in WhatsApp profile photos among young adults

This study examines relationships among trait emotional intelligence (EI), self-disclosure (SD) dimensions and visual self-presentation in WhatsApp profile pictures among 186 Italian young adults. We investigated whether EI is associated with SD dimensions and whether visual characteristics relate to psychological traits using self-report measures and independent visual coding of profile pictures. The results show that trait EI is selectively correlated with the qualitative dimensions of SD (positive valence, accuracy and intentionality) but not with amount or depth, suggesting that higher perceived emotional competence is linked to more regulated, authentic and deliberate online communication rather than to greater frequency or intimacy of disclosure. Network analysis of visual parameters identified gaze direction and gaze engagement as the central organising elements of visual identity. Contrary to expectations, trait EI was not directly associated with visual self-presentation characteristics. However, SD depth and intentionality were linked to direct gaze and expressive facial displays, suggesting that deeper, more intentional SD involves a more engaged, deliberate visual presentation. These findings clarify how people manage digital identity on messaging platforms, informing HCI research on interface design, ergonomics, self-presentation and visual cues in computer-mediated communication.