Democracy and distress: The mental health impact of politics

Unravelling

In this episode of Unravelling, Kurt White speaks with Dr. Kevin Smith, a political scientist at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, about the connection between politics, stress, and mental health. They discuss Dr. Smith's research indicating that political engagement can trigger physiological stress responses, with increased attention to politics in our information-saturated environment correlating with higher stress and negative health impacts. Kurt prompts a conversation about the societal responsibility to engage in democracy while minimizing these effects, and Kevin shares that his lab is investigating interventions to help individuals navigate the emotional challenges of political engagement. As they explore the post-election landscape, Kevin notes that while anxiety levels may rise before elections, research suggests that post-election stress remains relatively stable, reassuring listeners of the resilience of democratic institutions and emphasizing that the political climate is often more stable than it appears. Kurt and Kevin both emphasize the role of social connections in reducing stress. Kevin encourages reaching out to people with different political views and building diverse social networks to stay grounded during political turmoil.

Connect with Dr. Kevin Smith, and learn more about his work and research:
X: @nivek_htims
Personal website: Kevin B. Smith | Author, Professor, Political Scientist (kevinbsmith.com)

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