The American Psychological Association says the 2016 presidential election was a major source of stress for a majority of Americans regardless of political affiliation.
Elections are typically a source of stress. But the 2016 presidential election season was particularly long and menacingly nasty for well over a year.
It should come as no surprise that over half of Americans -- 55 percent of Democrats and 59 percent of Republicans -- believe the election is a "very" or "somewhat significant" source of stress. It affects men and women in almost equal numbers and people in every age group. Millennials and are particularly bothered by it, which could explain the 900 percent increase in requests for certain types of birth control after the election.
Groups of people who felt threatened by rhetoric may feel stressed as they contemplate how new policy may affect their lives. There is a strong link between social environment, attitudes, and chronic stress.
So if this election has left you feeling stressed, this show is for you.
GUESTS:
- Blair Johnson - Distinguished Professor in the Department of Psychological Sciences at the Institute for Collaboration on Health, Intervention, and Policy at UConn; senior editor with the scientific journal Social Science and Medicine
- Rebecca Acabchuk - Researcher at UConn; adjunct professor in the psychology department at UConn and Connecticut College
- Michael Grey - Physician and Chair of the Department of Medicine at St. Francis Hospital and Medical Center
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Colin McEnroe and Chion Wolf contributed to this show.
