CHAMPAIGN, IL (Chambana Today) — A new study from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign reveals that misinformation and disinformation are playing a significant role in the breakdown of romantic relationships.
The research, led by U of I communication professor Emily Van Duyn, focused on 28 individuals who ended relationships—ranging from dating to long-term marriages—due in part to political and media-related differences. The study found that misinformation often created conflicting versions of reality between partners, leading to irreparable rifts.
“These relationships didn’t fail simply because of differing political views,” Van Duyn said. “They failed because those views became rooted in entirely different realities. That disrupted shared identity and trust.”
Some participants described partners becoming deeply involved in online conspiracy theories or media outlets they believed to be untrustworthy. In one case, a couple ended a 23-year marriage after one partner became immersed in conspiracy culture. Another relationship ended over disputes about COVID-19 vaccinations.
Van Duyn says modern media algorithms are often to blame, pushing users toward more extreme content and isolating them in ideological echo chambers. “This rabbit-holing behavior can rewire how people see the world—and how they connect with others,” she said.
The study concludes that media consumption habits are now deeply entwined with the success or failure of personal relationships and that combatting misinformation could be just as important for emotional health as it is for civic health.
The full study is available through the University of Illinois News Bureau.