APA poll shows 68% of Americans feel significant stress related to presidential election

Most U.S. adults reported the 2020 presidential election as a significant source of stress in their lives, according to poll results released by the American Psychological Association.

This year, 68% of respondents cited the election as a significant stressor, which marks a significant increase from 52% of respondents who said the same about the 2016 election.

“This has been a year unlike any other in living memory,” Arthur C. Evans Jr., PhD, APA CEO, said in a press release. “Not only are we in the midst of a global pandemic that has killed more than 200,000 Americans, but we are also facing increasing division and hostility in the presidential election.”

The Harris Poll conducted the online survey on behalf of the APA between August 4 and 26 and received responses from 3,409 adults aged 18 years or older who resided in the U.S.

Majorities noted that the election was a significant stressor, regardless of political affiliation, with 76% of Democrats, 67% of Republicans and 64% of Independents saying so. Further, 46% of Black respondents felt this way about the 2016 election vs. 71% this year. Those with a chronic health condition were more likely than those without to report stress related to the election, with 55% vs. 45% in 2016 and 71% vs. 64% in 2020, respectively. In 2020, 39% of individuals with chronic conditions were significantly more likely to cite the election as a very significant source of stress vs. 28% of those without a chronic condition, which marked a significant difference; however, in 2016, this response produced no significant difference, with 20% vs. 17%, respectively.

More than three-quarters of respondents said the nation’s future was a significant stressor, up from two-thirds in 2019. Moreover, 68% of respondents cited the current political climate as a significant stressor vs. 62% who said the same last year.

In addition to the pandemic and presidential election hostility, Evans highlighted the mental health effects that racial turmoil in cities, the unsteady economy and climate change have had on the population.

“The result is an accumulation of stressors that are taking a physical and emotional toll on Americans,” Evans said.