Positive, negative, and mixed emotions directed toward immigrants: differences between social, alternative and traditional media users

Abstract This study examines how the use of different media types and platforms is associated with emotional responses toward immigrants. Using cross-sectional survey data from Germany ( n = 1511), linear regression models were estimated to explore correlations between media use and both overall emotional valence (negative, positive, mixed) and a broad set of discrete emotions. The results show that social media use and use of alternative media is positively associated with stronger negative, positive, and mixed emotions toward immigrants, while use of traditional newspapers show no notable associations. Television and radio use, in contrast, are linked to more positive and fewer negative emotions. Platform-level analyses reveal distinct emotional profiles: Facebook use correlates with contempt, and disgust; YouTube with anger, contempt, disgust, joy and awe; Twitter/X—and to a even larger degree—TikTok, with a wide range of positive, negative, and mixed emotions; and Instagram with grief only. Overall, the findings highlight substantial variation across media environments in their correlational relationship with emotional responses toward immigrants. These results provide descriptive evidence that can guide future causal, experimental, or longitudinal research on mediated emotions and intergroup attitudes.