How personality shapes online persona curation: Exploring the link between digital self-presentation and self-esteem among Gen-Z

In an increasingly digital world, social media has become central to how individuals express, construct, and evaluate their identities. For Generation Z, who have grown up immersed in digital environments, curating an online persona is a common form of self-presentation. This study aimed to examine how personality traits influence online persona curation and how these curated identities relate to self-esteem. It also investigated whether specific dimensions of online self-presentation mediate the relationship between personality and self-esteem. The study employed a cross-sectional, correlational research design with a quantitative approach. A total of 101 Indian university students aged 18-25 years were selected through convenience sampling. Participants were administered three standardized instruments: the Big Five Inventory (BFI) to evaluate personality traits, the Presentation of Online Self Scale (POSS) to examine four facets of digital self-presentation—Ideal Self, Multiple Selves, Consistent Self, and Online Presentation Preference—and the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSE) to measure overall self-esteem. The collected data were analysed using IBM SPSS (version 20), with parallel mediation tested through the PROCESS Macro (Model 4). The results revealed significant correlations between certain personality traits and online persona dimensions. Extraversion negatively predicted idealised persona curation, while neuroticism was positively associated with both Ideal Self and Multiple Selves. Regression analyses confirmed that these traits significantly influenced digital self-presentation styles. Mediation analyses further indicated that specific dimensions of persona curation partially mediated the relationship between personality and self-esteem, particularly through Ideal Self and Consistent Self. These findings highlight the psychological mechanisms through which digital identity is shaped by personality and, in turn, influences self-worth. The study contributes to understanding the complex interplay between personality, digital self-presentation, and self-esteem among Gen Z, offering implications for mental health practitioners and digital literacy initiatives.