Attitudes to Democracy, Information Sources, and Self-Reported Misinformation Exposure in a Federal Election: An Australian Experience Sampling Study

Misinformation is a key global and national concern, especially due to potential detrimental impact on societal and democratic attitudes and beliefs. We tested for such impact by running an experience sampling study for 5 days surrounding the 2025 Australian Federal Election. We also aimed to document rates of self-reported misinformation and information source use surrounding the election. At baseline and follow-up, we assessed trust in institutions, attitudes towards democracy, and affective political polarisation. In the experience sampling surveys, we assessed election-related emotions, self-reported misinformation exposure, information source use, and perceived polarisation. Participants (N = 123) completed four surveys per day across two days before, on the day of, and two days after the Australian Federal Election. Participants reported frequent misinformation exposure (2.37 total instances on average over 5 days), and predominantly used social media as a source of election information, though conversation and public news were also highly prevalent. Positive emotions predicted lower information use at the next survey, while negative emotions predicted higher information use at the next survey, and were correlated with information use and misinformation exposure. Increased self-reported misinformation exposure predicted decreased trust in institutions, perceptions of democracy, and affective polarisation. More frequent use of traditional sources predicted higher institutional trust and lower affective polarisation, and non-traditional source use had mixed relationships. Our findings provide ecologically valid evidence for the relationship between misinformation exposure, affective polarisation, and negative attitudes towards institutions and democracy; thus supporting concerns about misinformations impacts. Additionally, our findings suggest use of traditional information sources may have beneficial effects on trust and polarisation.