Internal, External, and Government Political Efficacy: Effects on News Use, Discussion, and Political Participation

Abstract

News use and political discussion are often studied as important factors in understanding the effects of political efficacy on participation. However, measurements of external efficacy often blur distinctions between personal ability and government responsiveness. This study establishes a measure for perceptions of competence in the institutions of democratic government—government efficacy (GE). Drawing on panel survey data from the United States, confirmatory factor analysis introduces GE as a unique construct. Political efficacy dimensions are tested for their impact on news consumption, discussion, and political participation. Results add to the extant literature revolving the role of political efficacy on news use, discussion, and participation.

Notes

1. For details on the survey employed here, see (Diehl, Weeks, & Gil de Zúñiga, 2015; Weeks, Ardèvol-Abreu, & Gil de Zúñiga, 2016).

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Homero Gil de Zúñiga

Homero Gil de Zúñiga (Ph.D., University of Wisconsin-Madison) is the Medienwandel professor in the Department of Communication at the University of Vienna, and research fellow at Departamento de Comunicación y Letras, Universidad Diego Portales, Chile. His research addresses the influence of new technologies and digital media on people’s daily lives and the overall democratic process.

Trevor Diehl

Trevor Diehl (M.A., University of Texas–Austin) is a research assistant and doctoral student at the Media Innovation Lab (MiLab) in the Department of Communication (University of Vienna). His research interests include digital media and journalism practice, political effects of social media use, and the impact of technology on the public’s understanding of science.

Alberto Ardévol-Abreu

Alberto Ardèvol-Abreu (Ph.D., Universidad de La Laguna) is an assistant professor in the Department of Communication at Universidad de La Laguna. His major research interests focus on political communication, political participation, and new media. He is also interested in media representation of immigration, ethnic minorities, and countries of the South.