Democracy and distress: The mental health impact of politics

Democracy and distress: The mental health impact of politics

Author: Charts & Leisure November 6, 2024 Duration: 39:23

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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There’s a thread that connects our inner lives to the culture we live in, and Unravelling pulls on it to see what emerges. This isn’t a lecture series, but a conversation guided by therapist Kurt White and journalist Mary Wilson, who bring their distinct perspectives to every discussion. They explore how mental health is woven into everything from our daily fitness routines and societal pressures to the art we consume and the relationships we keep. In each episode, you’ll hear from experts who study the mind alongside individuals sharing their personal, lived experiences, creating a dialogue that feels both intellectually rigorous and deeply human. The aim is to move beyond simple definitions, examining how anxiety, resilience, joy, and struggle shape our collective reality. Produced by Charts & Leisure, this podcast provides a space for nuance, challenging the idea that our psychological worlds exist in a vacuum. It’s for anyone who has ever felt the tension between their private thoughts and the public world, offering not easy answers but a more textured understanding. By listening, you become part of a broader exploration into how compassion, for ourselves and our society, can actually be built from a place of genuine curiosity.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 50

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