Emotions and news on social media about climate change sharing. Moderating role of habits, previous attitudes and uses and gratifications among University students
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.4185/RLCS-2020-1425Keywords:
climate change; social media; emotions; uses and gratifications theory; news consumption habitsAbstract
Introduction: This article analyzes the influence of emotions on users' intention to share news about climate change on social media. Media consumption habits, previous attitudes towards the issue and social media uses and gratifications sought are considered as moderating roles. Methodology: An online, self-administered, questionnaire was submitted to a sample of undergraduate students from different courses and centers placed at Madrid region. Data were statistically tested following simple and multiple linear regression, simple and multiple logistic regression and simple and multiple ordinal regression models. Results and conclusions: It is concluded that fear and anger are the most influential emotions on users' intention to share a piece of news on social media. Information seeking, news internalizing and previous attitudes are identified as moderating factors.
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