Relationship Between Emotional Reactions and Information Sharing: A Meta-Analysis
Abstract
Based on a three-level meta-analysis of 55 studies (188 effect sizes; N = 40,924), emotional reactions were positively associated with information sharing (r = 0.32). Moderator analyses revealed stronger associations for positive (r = 0.46) than negative (r = 0.25) emotions, interpersonal (r = 0.39) than media (r = 0.24) channels, and sharing behavior (r = 0.35) than intention (r = 0.28). The strength of association varied by topic, with larger estimates for multi-topic (r = 0.56) and commercial content (r = 0.45). This meta-analysis offers a cross-study test of Emotional Broadcaster Theory and identifies boundary conditions shaping the relationship between emotional reactions and information sharing.
Fields of Study & Subjects
Digital Marketing and Social Media
Media and Digital Communication
Knowledge Management and Sharing
Publication details
- Journal / source
- Journal of Broadcasting & Electronic Media
- Volume
- 70
- Issue
- 2
- Pages
- 154–177
- Publication date
- 4 March 2026
- Language
- EN