Risk factors associated with election-related stress and anxiety before and after the 2016 US Presidential Election

Abstract

Over the last several months, the effects of the 2016 US Presidential Election on the mental health and well being of Americans has become a topic of great interest to care-providers in the United States. Risk factors for election-related stress and anxiety have yet to be explored. To determine indicators associated with election-related stress and anxiety in the weeks preceding and following the 2016 US Presidential Election, two surveys – “pre-election” (October 20–21, 2016) and “post-election” (January 20–21, 2017) – were administered online via the Survey Monkey Audience panel platform. A total of 999 pre-election respondents (of 1025) and 1009 post-election respondents (of 1026) were retained after data cleaning. Multivariable linear regression analyses were then conducted in Orange on the pre- and post-election survey data sets. For both analyses, a summative election-related stress and anxiety index served as the outcome of interest. Compared to women, men scored an average of .610 (95%CI: .291, 929; p < .001) and .359 (95%CI: .089, .629; p = .009) points lower on the election-related stress and anxiety index – among pre-election and post-election survey respondents, respectively. Though insignificant among pre-election survey respondents, Democratic Party affiliation (.805 points; 95%CI: .466, 1.14; p < .001) and low household income (.83 points; 95%CI: .173, 1.49; p = .013) were associated with higher election-related stress and anxiety index scores among post-election survey respondents. Election-related effects on stress and anxiety are complex, and some segments of the American population appear to be more vulnerable than others. Though further study of additional risk factors is needed, those noted here may be utilized to better identify and provide care for Americans suffering from election-related stress and anxiety moving forward.