The Power of Framing: How Nudges Influence Emotional Responses in Privacy Boundary Disclosures

This study explores how nudges might mitigate negative emotions, such as anger and anxiety, caused by privacy boundary disclosures on digital platforms. Drawing on Cognitive appraisal theory (CAT), it examines goal congruence, relevance, perceived transparency, and sense of trust as critical constructs shaping emotional responses. Through a mixed-methods approach, combining quantitative surveys, experiments, and qualitative interviews, this research investigates how framing techniques could influence users’ appraisals and emotional outcomes. It aims to assess whether well-designed nudges can reduce emotional distress by reshaping cognitive evaluations. By extending CAT to privacy contexts, this study seeks to provide practical insights for developing transparent and user-centred privacy practices that balance regulatory compliance and user engagement.