The upcoming 2024 U.S. presidential election is causing significant stress among Americans, according to the results of several recent surveys. More than 70% of adults have cited the future of the nation as a significant source of stress, with the economy (73%) and the election (69%) following closely behind, according to the latest Stress in America survey released by the American Psychological Association (APA).
That is slightly higher than in 2020 when 68% of Americans said they were stressed out by the presidential election, and much higher than in 2016, when 52% of Americans said the election was causing them stress.
“For nearly a decade, people have faced a political climate that is highly charged, which has led to the erosion of civil discourse and strained our relationships with our friends and our families. But isolating ourselves from our communities is a recipe for adding more stress to our lives,” said APA CEO Arthur C. Evans Jr., Ph.D.
A separate survey by LifeStance Health found that nearly four out of five (79%) respondents said the upcoming U.S. presidential election has caused them anxiety this year. The survey found that younger individuals were more likely to experience moderate to significant anxiety related to the presidential election on November 5. Six out of ten respondents who are currently in therapy said that they have spoken about politics or the election with their clinician during sessions.
“Election-related anxiety is just one example of the mounting mental health challenges people face in today’s complex world,” said Dr. Ujjwal Ramtekkar, Chief Medical Officer, LifeStance. “Our survey highlights the ongoing need to improve access to high-quality mental health care, which would provide even more people with the tools to effectively manage daily life stressors, build long-term resilience, and ultimately foster healthier, more resilient communities.”
A third survey from Forbes Health found that 61% of the 2,000 adults surveyed agreed that the election was not good for their mental health. The survey, conducted between September 4-6, 2024, showed that 66% of Gen Z responders reported feelings of at least a slight negative impact on their mental health due to the election. This was comparable in Millennials and Gen X, both of which reported 64% and 63%, respectively. However, only 56% of Baby Boomers reported negative mental health from the election.
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