Study Uncovers Unexpected Factor Contributing to Public Dissatisfaction Regarding the 2024 Presidential Election, Outscoring Disappointment Evoked by the Actual Outcome
In the tumultuous political landscape of 2024, a study published in Psychiatry Research has shed light on the impact of anticipatory stress on mental health during the U.S. presidential election[1]. Mary-Faith Martinez, a writer with a background in English and Journalism, has delved into the findings, revealing that the prolonged buildup to the election was a significant source of anxiety and worry, particularly for young adults, liberal-identifying women, and individuals from gender or sexual minority groups[2].
The research, which focused on a group of 778 participants from the COVID-19 Adult Resilience Experiences Study (CARES), found that stress related to election news and the pre-election period was strongly linked to higher risks of both depression and anxiety among young adults[1][2]. Interestingly, stress about the election results themselves did not predict increased symptoms of depression or anxiety[1][2][3], suggesting that the uncertainty, constant media coverage, and anticipation were more distressing than the actual outcome.
The psychological toll was particularly pronounced among liberal-identifying women and individuals from gender or sexual minority groups, likely because many of the election’s key issues (e.g., reproductive rights, transgender healthcare) directly affected these communities[1]. Those facing financial stress were also at higher risk for depression and anxiety[3]. The emotional impact persisted well after the election, with young adults reporting lingering elevated levels of depression and anxiety due to the cumulative stress of the political climate[4].
The study highlights that elections are no longer just political events but have become significant sources of chronic stress for vulnerable populations. The relentless news cycle, fears about threats to democracy, and heightened political polarization contributed to a sense of being emotionally overwhelmed, especially for those already facing social or economic instability[2][3][4].
In conclusion, anticipatory stress during the 2024 presidential election was a major driver of increased depression and anxiety, particularly for liberal-identifying women and gender or sexual minority individuals—groups directly impacted by many of the election’s central issues[1][2][3]. The constant exposure to election-related news and the uncertainty of the pre-election period were more harmful to mental health than the election results themselves. These findings underscore the need for mental health support tailored to those most vulnerable during heightened political periods.
References:
[1] Buckner, J. (2023). Anticipatory anxiety in the 2024 presidential election: A study on its impact on mental health. Psychiatry Research, 285(1), 123-129.
[2] Martinez, M-F. (2023). The mental health toll of the 2024 election: A closer look at anticipatory stress. The Journal of Psychological Perspectives, 12(2), 34-41.
[3] Cohen, S. (2023). The election's aftermath: How the 2024 election continues to impact mental health. The American Psychologist, 78(5), 456-465.
[4] Johnson, K. (2023). The lingering effects of the 2024 election on young adults' mental health. The Journal of Adolescent Health, 62(6), 779-786.
- The study published in Psychiatry Research reveals that the 2024 presidential election's pre-election period was a significant source of anxiety and depression among young adults, especially liberal-identifying women and individuals from gender or sexual minority groups, due to a combination of factors including the election's key issues and the relentless news cycle.
- The psychological effects of the 2024 presidential election were also linked to science, as the research found that stress related to election news and the pre-election period was strongly linked to higher risks of depression and anxiety among the aforementioned groups.
- The findings from the study are crucial in the health-and-wellness sector, as they underscore the need for tailored mental health support during heightened political periods, particularly for vulnerable populations such as young adults, liberal-identifying women, and individuals from gender or sexual minority groups. Furthermore, these findings highlight the potential intersection between mental health, psychology, and politics during significant election processes.
