Information Sharing in Online Dyadic Exchange: A Relational Dialectic Perspective

Psychological reactions to privacy invasions are important to information sharing in online dyadic exchange. Although previous studies have enriched understanding on cognitive reaction to privacy invasions, rarely have researchers examined the emotional component. This study aims to fill the gap in the literature by examining the effects of cognitive and emotional reactions on information sharing. To develop the research model, we drew on the relational dialectic perspective and social exchange theories to explain the effects of dialectic tensions on information sharing through privacy threats and negative affect. The research model was tested on survey data gathered from 89 actual chat room users. We found that anonymity status, interaction intrusiveness, and disclosure by counterparts affect privacy threats. Interaction intrusiveness and disclosure by counterparts influence negative affect. Additionally, privacy threats and negative affect were found to be important in shaping information sharing.