THE IMPACT OF MENTAL HEALTH CONTENT EXPOSURE ON INSTAGRAM FOLLOWERS’ SELF-DISCLOSURE
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.55197/qjssh.v6i5.672Keywords:
self-disclosure, social media engagement, mental health content exposure, instagram, S-O-R theoryAbstract
Mental health remains a taboo subject in many countries, including Indonesia, where stigma prevents individuals from seeking help. This negative perception often leads individuals with mental health issues to conceal their struggles, making self-disclosure a challenging decision. However, social media provides a platform for individuals to share personal experiences, emotions, and daily activities. This phenomenon is evident on Instagram, particularly on the @ibunda.id account, where users actively engage by commenting or seeking online consultations regarding their mental health. This study examines the influence of mental health content exposure on followers’ self-disclosure, utilizing the S-O-R theory. A quantitative approach was adopted, employing simple random sampling with 272 respondents. Data were collected through a questionnaire consisting of 65 questions across three sections based on the study variables. Findings indicate that the followers are predominantly young adults and that mental health content exposure positively influences their willingness to self-disclose. These results highlight the potential of social media as an effective tool in encouraging individuals to discuss their mental health openly.
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