Cognitive and Affective Predictors of Sharing Intentions on Social Media: The Role of Anxiety, Social Benefits, and Risks

Sharing information and participating in discussions on social media involves social risks and benefits. It is unclear whether those risk and benefit perceptions predict sharing intentions. Previous research on sharing news has shown emotions like anxiety to predict sharing intentions, but it remains unclear whether this also applies beyond sharing news. This study builds on the Appraisal Tendency Framework and the social calculus perspective. Using an online experiment (N = 523), with a 2 (emotional state: anxiety vs. relaxation) by 3 (consequences: social benefits vs. social risks vs. none) design, this study examines cognitive (risks, benefits) and affective (anxiety) predictors of sharing intentions on gun laws. Results show that benefit perceptions and anxiety positively predicted sharing intentions, while risk perceptions and interactions with cognitive and affective factors did not. Taken together, the results suggest that reducing anxiety cues and making social rewards more salient may fuel political discourse on social media.