New Study Finds People Whose Candidate Lost the Election May Experience Depression
News reports have described the American presidential elections as "clearly divisive." However, a new analysis proposes, they may initiate depression in residents of states whose candidate did not win the position.
The researchers measured the mental health of approximately 500,000 Americans following the 2016 presidential election. As a result of this measurement, the investigators found that the risk for stress and depression went up considerably in those states that supported Hillary Clinton.
According to the study author, Brandon Yan, in their investigation, they found "that a number of poor mental health days" adults experienced in what they described as the "Clinton states" increased by 15 percent from October to December 2016.
The percentage, added Yan, was half a day more each adult, an equivalent of 55 million more days of "stress, depressed mood and emotional distress" in all for adults residing in Clinton-voting state, reportedly, in December alone.
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Chris Schneider, 42, (L) a supporter of President Donald Trump, demonstrates outside of where votes are still being counted, six days after the general election on November 9, 2020, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The state was called for President-elect Joe Biden on Saturday, propelling him past the requisite 270 electoral votes to win the presidency.
Post-Election Effect
The study author, a medical student and health policy researcher with the Philip R. Lee Institute for Health Policy Studies School of Medicine at the University of California also said, the rise in percentage continued until the first half of 2017.
Commenting on the analysis, psychologist Lynn Bufka said none of the said findings are surprising. Bufka, although not involved in the said research, is an American Psychological Association's "Stress in America" team member.
She noted that people, during the 2016 election, "had a lot of emotional investment, and the current outcome, as well." The psychologist added, these people really want certain results, and if they fail to get what they want, "it can be very disappointing for them."
That disappointment, Bufka pointed out, is not without foundation. There may be the truth, she added, in expecting that a certain result "could mean x, y, or z" when it comes to experiencing a real and probably, adverse effect on the life of a voter.
Data Gathered Across All States
To explore the topic further, Yan, together with his colleagues, investigated survey data collected in all 50 states from May 2016 to May 2017.
The investigators found among the 20 Clinton-voting states, and residents showed that the number of days when they experienced stress, emotional problems or stress increased from almost "3.4 days in October 2016 to 3.9 days in December 2016."
In addition, the research team found, too, a two-percentage-point increase in the number of Clinton-voting state residents who reported experience of poor mental health, a sign of clinical depression, for two weeks or longer, one month after the election.
Meanwhile, in Trump-voting states, researchers found the opposite: risk of poor mental health dropped from only 3.9 days each month on average in October 2016 to only 3.8 days in November the same year.
Explaining their findings, Yan explained that living in an "election-losing state" does not mean one is already at extremely high risk for post-election stress, "only that our risk may rise."
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Impact on Health
The bottom line of their analysis is that elections do matter, "including for health," Yan pointed out adding, elections may not appear like events that would affect public health. However, he added, their analysis shows that the election's effects should be paid attention to.
Commenting on Joe Biden's fresh victory, Yan's advice to Trump voters to lessen the risk of depression brought by the election is that, "Remember that you're not alone in feeling stress and anxiety, and there are people, health care providers included," who could provide them with all the support and resource they need.
Bufka, on the other hand, advised, "focus on what you can control." She also suggested that they turn off their television, set limitations, and be selective when it comes to the source where they are getting their news and information.
The psychologist continued, saying social media may not be an ideal source of news and information at present. She also said it is important to pay attention to health.
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Nov 11, 2020 06:00 AM EST
