The effects of disagreement and unfriending on political polarization: a moderated-mediation model of cross-cutting discussion on affective polarization via unfriending contingent upon exposure to incivility

Abstract Cross-cutting discussion is the foundation of deliberative democracy. However, previous research has reported inconsistent results regarding effects exposure to dissimilar perspectives on political polarization. This study aims extend literature by exploring how cross-cutting influences affective polarization through unfriending and this indirect effect contingent upon incivility. The analyzes panel data from a two-wave online survey conducted in South Korea (N = 890). show significantly positive unfriending, suggesting that further reinforces via unfriending. Furthermore, identifies boundary conditions for mediating mechanism, showing mediated relationship stronger those who are more exposed incivility social media.