Explaining Electoral Abstention Among University Students in the Region of Valencia (Spain): The Role of Information Sources, Political Attitudes, and Civic Engagement

Abstract This study investigates the factors influencing electoral abstention among university students in the Region of Valencia, focusing on their civic engagement, political attitudes, media consumption patterns, and socio-demographic characteristics. A cross-sectional survey using a non-probabilistic intentional sample of 470 undergraduate students was conducted. Through a binary logistic regression analysis, the findings reveal that reliance on traditional media, particularly television and digital press, is positively related with voter turnout, whereas the use of social media platforms correlates with higher abstention rates. This pattern suggests that conventional media consumption aligns with conventional political engagement, while digital environments are more characteristic of profiles marked by electoral disengagement. Digital citizenship emerged as the primary means of engagement for collaborating in resolving social problems. However, civic association was not significantly linked to abstention, except for local participation, which showed a positive association. Additionally, students demonstrated low levels of confidence in political parties and limited interest in the electoral process, emphasizing the role of attitudinal factors in voting behavior. By highlighting the complex interplay between media usage, civic participation, and political attitudes, this study offers actionable insights for policymakers and electoral campaign strategists aiming to enhance youth political engagement and address abstention in democratic systems.