Factors Influencing Emotion Sharing Intention Among Couple-fans of Movie and TV Drama on Social Media: The Case of China

Purpose- The Chinese fan community includes a significant number of young and middle-aged individuals, playing a crucial role in emotional mobilization and social engagement. In recent years, the impact of Celebrity Pairing or Character Pairing (CP) on Weibo has grown notably, partly due to features like Super Topics and Hot Searches. This phenomenon has enhanced fan engagement, resulting in heightened participation in discussions and interactions on the platform. Our study targets CP fans of movies and television dramas on Weibo and aims to identify the factors that drive their emotional sharing. Design/methodology/approach- The research methodology integrates Self-Determination Theory and Social Sharing of Emotion Theory within the EASI (Emotion, Attachment, and Social Integration) model. This approach aims to uncover how CP fans meet their emotional needs via social media and determine the factors influencing their sharing intentions and behaviours. Data were collected through online surveys, yielding 504 valid responses. Findings- The analysis, performed with SPSS and Smart PLS software, reveals that self-determination, interpersonal relationships, and social media tolerance significantly affect fans' intentions to share content. Specifically, intrinsic motivation, driven by self-determination, is a critical factor in CP fans' propensity to share content, highlighting the importance of ‘inward socialization.’ Additionally, the study finds that external factors, like the social media environment, play a more minor role than internal motivators. Research implications or Originality- This research enhances quantitative research methodologies by identifying intrinsic and extrinsic motivations that satisfy the emotional needs of CP fans. It distinguishes between individual, interpersonal, and collective/social factors as motivational elements, providing insights into the emotional and psychological needs of the Chinese movie and TV drama fan community.