Stress and Negative Information Sharing in Media Environments: An Empirical Analysis of Motivational Mediation and Emotional Regulation

International Joint Audit Institute, Nanjing Audit University, Jiangsu Province, 210029, China

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Abstract

This study investigates the relationship between stress and the tendency to share negative information on social media, focusing on the mediating role of motivation. While previous research has linked stress with various social behaviors, the mechanisms behind the preference for negative information remain under-explored. Data were obtained from a total of 268 respondents in China through a systematically designed questionnaire. The analysis reveals that individuals experiencing higher stress levels are more inclined to disseminate negative information online, and that motivation serves as a crucial mediating variable in this relationship. These outcomes contribute to a deeper understanding of the psychological and emotional mechanisms shaping users’ online communication patterns and offer meaningful implications for interpreting social media engagement dynamics.