Interest group outcomes: an experimental study of framing public-regarding vs. member-regarding interests

Recent research has focused on the communicational strategies of interest groups and how their public appeals may go beyond organizational self‐interest and focus on appeals to the public interest. However, we know little about the effect of this communicational strategies on public perceptions of interest groups, and more importantly, on potential outcomes such as future expectations or economic optimism. Considering the growing involvement and salience of diverse interest groups in multiple issues, it is especially important to understand their potential role on promoting economic optimism and favourable perceptions for overcoming the health and economic downturns produced by the COVID pandemic. Using a survey experiment on a nationally representative sample in Spain during November 2020 we empirically test the causal outcome of group type (Unions, business or professional associations) and their framing of health issues (public-regarding/member-regarding) on public perspectives perceptions of future outcomes and economic optimism. We test public appraisal of interest groups and attitudes towards their role as representatives as potential mechanisms.