Online and Offline Political Participation: Relationships and Psychosocial Variables (Phase 5)

This research project, in its fifth phase, continues the longitudinal study initiated in 2017 on political participation in the Metropolitan District of Quito. The study addresses the complex relationship between political participation in digital environments (online) and traditional settings (offline), examining how social media usage, political polarization, and exposure to fake news influence citizen behavior, especially following the COVID-19 pandemic. The central problem lies in the lack of consensus on how digital participation translates into real political action. Using a quantitative and multidisciplinary approach, the research team employs structural equation modeling and multivariate statistical analysis to evaluate psychosocial determinants such as political efficacy, trust, and emotions. The project integrates data collected between 2018 and 2022 to conduct regional comparative analyses with countries such as Chile, Colombia, and Peru. Expected outcomes include the publication of scientific articles in high-impact journals and book chapters, contributing to the advancement of political science and psychology in Ecuador. Furthermore, the project seeks to generate evidence-based educational strategies to strengthen media literacy and foster a more deliberative and participatory democratic culture among citizens.<br/><br/><b>Goal</b>: <br/>To analyze the relationships between online and offline political participation, their explanatory processes, and democratic consequences in the population of the Metropolitan District of Quito. The project aims to identify psychosocial variables that mediate and moderate these forms of participation.<br/><br/><b>Research lines</b>: <br/>Political, social and community psychology