Poll reveals American anxiety ahead of upcoming election

As the United States approaches Election Day on Tuesday, November 5, a significant portion of the American public appears to be experiencing heightened anxiety related to the electoral process. A recent poll conducted by Forbes Health suggests that the anticipation surrounding the upcoming election is influencing the mental health of many individuals across the nation.

The survey, which assessed around 2,000 US adults, indicates that 61% of Americans feel that their mental health has been slightly, moderately, or significantly affected by the forthcoming election. This reflects a considerable level of election-related anxiety permeating through various demographics.

Dr. Rufus Tony Spann, a certified school psychologist and licensed professional counsellor, shared his insights with Forbes on this phenomenon. He suggested that the anxiety noted among certain groups might be linked to past election experiences. “Based on the results of previous elections, some communities felt they needed to prepare for the backlash due to the results of an election,” Spann commented, highlighting how previous electoral outcomes are possibly fuelling current apprehensions.

The poll provides further details on how election anxiety is distributed among different age groups. Younger generations seem to be more affected, with 66% of Gen Z, 64% of millennials, and 63% of Gen X participants acknowledging that the election has impacted their mental well-being. In comparison, 55% of Baby Boomers reported similar feelings.

Gender differences were also observed in the survey results, with 63% of women indicating that their mental health has been impacted by the election, compared to 58% of men. This information suggests that while anxiety is prevalent across genders, a slightly higher percentage of women are reporting these feelings.

This comprehensive data from the Forbes Health poll underscores a significant trend of election-related anxiety impacting a broad cross-section of the American public, particularly amongst younger generations and women. As Election Day draws nearer, this sentiment may continue to evolve, reflecting the broader societal impacts of political processes on mental health.

Source: Noah Wire Services