Understanding the Lived Experience of Political Narrative Engagement Among Social Media Users

Abstract

Political communication in the digital age has shifted dramatically, with social media emerging as a dominant space where individuals encounter and interpret political narratives. While prior research has examined media effects on public opinion, little is known about how people emotionally and cognitively experience these narratives in everyday contexts. This study addresses that gap by asking: How do individuals make sense of political narratives on social media, and how does this shape their political perceptions? Using an interpretative phenomenological approach (IPA), the study explores participants’ lived experiences to reveal how political meaning is constructed through personal reflection and emotional engagement. In-depth semi-structured interviews were conducted with twelve social media users, and the data were analyzed thematically. The analysis identified three central themes: emotional resonance as a catalyst for political engagement, cognitive reorientation through narrative internalization, and tension between trust and skepticism in digital discourse. These findings suggest that individuals critically and reflexively interact with political information, reshaping their political identities in the process. The study contributes to a deeper understanding of how political subjectivity is formed in digitally mediated environments and highlights the importance of affective and interpretive dimensions often overlooked in prior research. These insights hold relevance for scholars, educators, and policymakers aiming to foster critical digital citizenship in increasingly polarized media landscapes.