A new study published in Psychiatry Research has found that stress related to the 2024 US presidential election was linked to higher risks of depression and anxiety among young adults. The researchers examined how different aspects of election-related stress affect mental health among young adults in the United States.
The study used data from a long-running survey of young adults in the US, which followed participants from the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic into 2025. The researchers looked at three kinds of election-related stress: distress in the lead-up to the election, distress caused by the election outcome, and distress from news coverage related to the election.
The findings showed that stress from election-related news was associated with a higher likelihood of experiencing symptoms of both depression and anxiety. Young adults who felt more distressed by the news around the time of the election were more likely to score above the clinical threshold for moderate depression and anxiety symptoms.
Stress in the weeks and months before the election—the anticipation phase—was also linked to increased depression symptoms, but it was not tied to anxiety symptoms. Surprisingly, stress related to the actual results of the election did not predict symptoms of either depression or anxiety.
The study suggests that constant exposure to news, especially on social media, may play a major role in shaping young adults’ emotional responses to elections. This constant exposure can lead to feelings of helplessness, fear, or hopelessness, all of which are associated with depression and anxiety.
The researchers point out some limitations in their study, but the findings suggest that mental health professionals may need to pay closer attention to the emotional toll of election periods, particularly among young adults. The study highlights the importance of managing media consumption, using cognitive behavioral techniques, and practicing mindfulness to reduce anticipatory stress during election periods.
Source: https://www.psypost.org/new-research-shows-the-psychological-toll-of-the-2024-presidential-election