Social Media Privacy Breach of Gen Z : Understanding Their Traumatic Experiences and Coping Strategies for Well-Being
Authors
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Harleen Kaur
Research Scholar, Faculty of Management Studies, Banasthali Vidyapith - 304 022, Rajasthan
https://orcid.org/0009-0005-2663-5076
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Balgopal Singh
Associate Professor (Corresponding Author), Faculty of Management Studies, Banasthali Vidyapith - 304 022, Rajasthan
https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8402-9617
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.17010/ijom/2025/v55/i9/175449Keywords:
social media, privacy concern, self-disclosure, privacy breach, trauma, wellbeing, coping strategy, Gen-Z.Publication Chronology: Paper Submission Date : September 25, 2024 ; Paper sent back for Revision : June 20, 2025 ; Paper Acceptance Date : June 30, 2025 ; Paper Published Online : September 15, 2025
Abstract
Purpose : Privacy breaches mostly lead to trauma and adversely affect the well-being (WB) of the victim. This study aimed to examine the antecedents and consequences of privacy breach episodes and further examine the role of coping strategies for Gen-Z.
Methodology : A cross-sectional research design was conceptualized. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire from 556 Gen-Z social media users. Covariance-based structural equation modeling was applied to understand the interrelationship between the causes and effects of privacy breach episodes, trauma, and the role of coping strategy on Gen-Z’s WB.
Findings : The results of the path analysis established that self-disclosure and privacy concerns were associated with privacy breaches. Victims of privacy breaches experienced trauma, which is detrimental to health and WB. Moreover, the study's findings highlighted the significance of coping strategies as a mediator between the ill effects of privacy breach, i.e., trauma and WB.
Practical Implications : This study would contribute to the literature on the social media use behavior of Gen-Z. This study would be helpful to e-commerce companies, policy makers, and social activists to initiate protective, preventive, and curative measures to avert privacy breaches. This study also set a platform for researchers to further their studies in this domain.
Originality : Unlike prior piecemeal studies on social media use, online privacy breach, trauma, and coping strategies for WB, the current work built a comprehensive model to examine the causes and effects of privacy breach episodes, traumatic experience, and the role of coping strategies on the health and WB of Gen-Z.
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