A Survey of the prevalence of self-disclosure behavior in virtual social networks and related factors among the students of Kurdistan University of Medical Sciences, Iran

BACKGROUND: The growing popularity of social networking sites (SNS) raises concerns about privacy and security, especially among teenagers and young people, as they experience different types of unsafe behaviors on SNS. In this regard, the problem of the consequences of using this communication tool has attracted the attention of psychology and sociology researchers. The aim of this study was to evaluate self-disclosure behavior in virtual social networks and its related factors. METHODS: This descriptive-analytical study was conducted among 601 students of Kurdistan University of Medical Sciences, Sanandaj, Iran. Data were collected by standard questionnaire and analyzed by SPSS software. RESULTS: Effective factors such as presence in the virtual network, obscurity, and access to the Internet and virtual networks were among the factors behind the self-disclosure behavior among students. The goal of attending virtual networks was communicating and sharing personal information, getting rid of loneliness, using in free time, accessing various information and updating information, getting to know friends and colleagues, feeling anonymity, feeling united, and lacking confidence. The findings main reason for self-disclosure behavior was presence in virtual social networks. There was a significant relationship between gender and the desire to obscurity. CONCLUSION: The results of this study indicate that the tendency to self-disclosure behavior in virtual social networks among young people, especially students, is increasing. It is essential for the cultural and social authorities to pay attention and create effective grounds for raising awareness among the youth.