The relationship between information hoarding and selective exposure: the role of information overload, identity bubble reinforcement, and intolerance of uncertainty

Abstract Background While related studies have examined the influencing factors of information hoarding, relatively little research focused on its potential consequences (e.g., selective exposure). Based on the information ecosystem theory, this study investigated the relationships between informati...

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Main Authors: Xuqing Bai, Shuailei Lian, XiaoJun Sun, Gengfeng Niu, Jingjing Liu
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2025-07-01
Series:BMC Psychology
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s40359-025-03062-8
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author Xuqing Bai
Shuailei Lian
XiaoJun Sun
Gengfeng Niu
Jingjing Liu
author_facet Xuqing Bai
Shuailei Lian
XiaoJun Sun
Gengfeng Niu
Jingjing Liu
author_sort Xuqing Bai
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Background While related studies have examined the influencing factors of information hoarding, relatively little research focused on its potential consequences (e.g., selective exposure). Based on the information ecosystem theory, this study investigated the relationships between information hoarding, information overload, identity bubble reinforcement, intolerance of uncertainty, and selective exposure. Methods Using a cross-sectional survey design, we tested the proposed model with a final sample of 717 valid responses. Results The findings showed that information hoarding was positively associated with selective exposure, that information overload and identity bubble reinforcement mediated this relationship, respectively. In addition, intolerance of uncertainty acted as a moderator between information hoarding and selective exposure, as well as between information overload and selective exposure. Conclusion These findings not only enhance our understanding of how information hoarding relates to selective exposure, but also provide recommendations for individuals and platform managers to mitigate selective exposure.
format Article
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institution Kabale University
issn 2050-7283
language English
publishDate 2025-07-01
publisher BMC
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series BMC Psychology
spelling doaj-art-10e6ee65fff1459da531b2a5e42390d22025-08-20T03:42:03ZengBMCBMC Psychology2050-72832025-07-0113111210.1186/s40359-025-03062-8The relationship between information hoarding and selective exposure: the role of information overload, identity bubble reinforcement, and intolerance of uncertaintyXuqing Bai0Shuailei Lian1XiaoJun Sun2Gengfeng Niu3Jingjing Liu4School of Psychology, Central China Normal UniversityCollege of Education and Sports Science, Yangtze UniversitySchool of Psychology, Central China Normal UniversitySchool of Psychology, Central China Normal UniversityDepartment of Students’ Affairs, Yancheng Teachers UniversityAbstract Background While related studies have examined the influencing factors of information hoarding, relatively little research focused on its potential consequences (e.g., selective exposure). Based on the information ecosystem theory, this study investigated the relationships between information hoarding, information overload, identity bubble reinforcement, intolerance of uncertainty, and selective exposure. Methods Using a cross-sectional survey design, we tested the proposed model with a final sample of 717 valid responses. Results The findings showed that information hoarding was positively associated with selective exposure, that information overload and identity bubble reinforcement mediated this relationship, respectively. In addition, intolerance of uncertainty acted as a moderator between information hoarding and selective exposure, as well as between information overload and selective exposure. Conclusion These findings not only enhance our understanding of how information hoarding relates to selective exposure, but also provide recommendations for individuals and platform managers to mitigate selective exposure.https://doi.org/10.1186/s40359-025-03062-8Information hoardingSelective exposureInformation overloadIdentity bubble reinforcementIntolerance of uncertainty
spellingShingle Xuqing Bai
Shuailei Lian
XiaoJun Sun
Gengfeng Niu
Jingjing Liu
The relationship between information hoarding and selective exposure: the role of information overload, identity bubble reinforcement, and intolerance of uncertainty
BMC Psychology
Information hoarding
Selective exposure
Information overload
Identity bubble reinforcement
Intolerance of uncertainty
title The relationship between information hoarding and selective exposure: the role of information overload, identity bubble reinforcement, and intolerance of uncertainty
title_full The relationship between information hoarding and selective exposure: the role of information overload, identity bubble reinforcement, and intolerance of uncertainty
title_fullStr The relationship between information hoarding and selective exposure: the role of information overload, identity bubble reinforcement, and intolerance of uncertainty
title_full_unstemmed The relationship between information hoarding and selective exposure: the role of information overload, identity bubble reinforcement, and intolerance of uncertainty
title_short The relationship between information hoarding and selective exposure: the role of information overload, identity bubble reinforcement, and intolerance of uncertainty
title_sort relationship between information hoarding and selective exposure the role of information overload identity bubble reinforcement and intolerance of uncertainty
topic Information hoarding
Selective exposure
Information overload
Identity bubble reinforcement
Intolerance of uncertainty
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s40359-025-03062-8
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