# The Influence of Affective Empathy on Online News Belief: The Moderated Mediation of State Empathy and News Type

## TL;DR

This study explores how empathy affects belief in online news, finding that affective empathy influences news belief through state empathy and is moderated by whether the news is fake or real.

## Contribution

The study introduces a moderated mediation model linking trait empathy, state empathy, and news belief, with a novel focus on news type as a moderator.

## Key findings

- Affective empathy positively correlates with state empathy and news believability.
- The effect of affective empathy on news belief is partially mediated by state empathy.
- News type (fake vs. real) moderates the relationship between affective empathy and news belief.

## Abstract

The belief in online news has become a topical issue. Previous studies demonstrated the role emotion plays in fake news vulnerability. However, few studies have explored the effect of empathy on online news belief. This study investigated the relationship between trait empathy, state empathy, belief in online news, and the potential moderating effect of news type. One hundred and forty undergraduates evaluated 50 online news pieces (25 real, 25 fake) regarding their belief, state empathy, valence, arousal, and familiarity. Trait empathy data were collected using the Chinese version of the Interpersonal Reactivity Index. State empathy was positively correlated with affective empathy in trait empathy and believability, and affective empathy was positively correlated with believability. The influence of affective empathy on news belief was partially mediated by state empathy and regulated by news type (fake, real). We discuss the influence of empathy on online news belief and its internal processes. This study shares some unique insights for researchers, practitioners, social media users, and social media platform providers.