Election anxiety is causing many Americans to avoid family and friends, survey finds

The presidential election is already on stressful for most Americans – and these stressors can bleed into relationships.

A new American Psychological Association (APA) poll found that 77 percent of Americans believe our nation’s future is a “significant source of stress,” along with the economy (73 percent) and the upcoming election (69 percent).

The online “Stress in America” ​​survey, which surveyed 3,000 US adults of various political affiliations in August 2024, looked at the potential consequences of election results, including in human relations.

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About a third (32%) of adults said the political climate has caused tension between them and family members — while 30% have limited time spent with family members who don’t share the same values.

Half of US adults admitted that tensions around social and political topics make them want to connect with others less, and 28% said they have “nothing in common” with people who have different Political Views.

Another August 2024 survey by LifeStance Health — a mental health care network based in Scottsdale, Arizona — found that 44 percent of Americans have experienced conflict in their personal lives because of political or election-related discussions.

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Almost a quarter of the 1,052 adults surveyed considered it end a friendship because of opposing political views, while 18% had done so.

“Political Compatibility”

Political affiliation can also come into play when it comes to dating.

The APA found that 46 percent of adults would not date someone with different political views, split almost equally between men and women.

Half of Gen Z respondents to the LifeStance survey said they consider “political compatibility” an important factor in dating, compared to 42 percent of millennials, 31 percent of Gen Xers and 29 percent of baby boomers.

A third (33%) of all respondents said they would not date someone who disagreed with their political views, while 28% would consider it a ‘deal-breaker’.

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Almost a quarter of Generation Z and millennials have ended a romantic relationship because of at least one political disagreement.

Setting boundaries

MK Clarkin, licensed clinical social worker and chief clinical officer at LifeStance Health in St. Louis, Missouri, said he finds it “interesting” that younger Americans, such as Generation Z, prioritize similar political attitudes in their relationships above the other generations.

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“These generations are the most likely to experience moderate to significant difficulties around the election cycle, so it stands to reason that they align their relationships with their values ​​and political views,” she told Fox News Digital.

For those who are anxious to engage in political discussions with friends or family members who hold different views, Clarkin recommends setting “clear and kind boundaries.”

“It might sound like, ‘I’m so glad to see you, let’s talk about something else.’ I want to hear about how your new job is going,” she suggested as an example.

“Isolating ourselves from our communities is a recipe for adding more stress to our lives.”

“Or “I feel like you have a lot to say about the election. I’ll apologize for this conversation, but I’d love to connect with you later and catch up on other parts of life.”

Clarkin also encouraged the use of “feel” statements to “express opinions without escalating tension”.

“Regardless of what side of the political aisle one is on, election seasons tend to be tough for mental healthshe said.

“It’s hard to find an area of ​​our personal lives that isn’t directly affected by who wins the election — personal finances, access to health care, childcare and education, to name a few.”

“Listen to Understand”

Americans have faced a “highly charged” political climate that has led to “the erosion of civil discourse and strained our relationships with our friends and families,” noted APA Executive Director Arthur C. Evans Jr., PhD. in a press release.

“But isolation from our communities is a recipe for adding more stress for our lives,” he said.

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“We need to remember that the most extreme voices are often the loudest and that most adults share similar values ​​and concerns.”

Despite these tensions, healthy social connections are “important for managing stress and general health,” Dr. Lynn Bufka, the APA’s deputy chief of professional practice and a licensed psychologist in Maryland, told Fox News Digital.

“We don’t have to agree on everything.”

Bufka noted that Americans have more in common than they might think, as 82 percent of U.S. adults believe it is important to have conversations with people who do not share the same values.

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“Try to understand the person you’re talking to and help them feel safe and understood,” she suggested.

“Listen to understand, not to defend your point of view,” Bufka continued. “We don’t have to agree on everything.”

People should look for broader qualities in others beyond politics, such as shared values ​​in areas such as kindness, respect and support, she advised.

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Bufka added, “Encouraging open dialogue and empathy, even amid disagreement, can enrich relationships and promote resilience against stressors arising from political division’.