What the study found
The review found that online misinformation appears to be connected with ideological polarisation and institutional distrust. The authors also report a proposed tri-directional relationship among online mis-dis-information, ideological polarisation, and institutional distrust.
Why the authors say this matters
The study suggests these issues matter because online misinformation is described as a risk to democratic integrity, quality journalism, and an informed public, especially during crises. The authors conclude that understanding these links is important for counteracting misinformation and its consequences.
What the researchers tested
The researchers carried out an integrative review of current literature. They critically analysed and synthesised findings from 157 publications and used thematic analysis to identify patterns across four themes: ideological polarisation, institutional distrust, disinformation typology and relevance, and strategic counteraction.
What worked and what didn't
The review generated themes suggesting a tri-directional relationship between online misinformation, ideological polarisation, and institutional distrust. It also presents a conceptual pathway and a strategic framework for counteraction, but the abstract does not report experimental tests or comparative performance of specific interventions.
What to keep in mind
This is a review, so the findings depend on the literature the authors selected and analysed. The abstract does not describe limitations in detail, and it does not provide evidence from a single original experiment.
Key points
- The review focuses on online misinformation, ideological polarisation, and institutional distrust.
- The authors analysed and synthesised 157 publications.
- Thematic analysis suggested a tri-directional relationship among misinformation, polarisation, and distrust.
- The paper presents a conceptual pathway and a strategic framework for counteraction.
- The abstract does not describe experimental testing of interventions.
Disclosure
- Research title:
- Review links misinformation to polarization and distrust
- Authors:
- Sundara Kashyap Vadapalli, Sharuna Doyal, Frederique J. Vanheusden, Jens F. Binder, Daria J. Kuss
- Institutions:
- Nottingham Trent University, Nottingham Trent University, Nottingham Trent University, Nottingham Trent University, Nottingham Trent University
- Publication date:
- 2026-02-23
- OpenAlex record:
- View
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