Examining Correlation Between Anxiety, Depression, and Political Participation in Young Adults

Kwasnica, Anna

Examining Correlation Between Anxiety, Depression, and Political Participation in Young Adults

Persistent URL

https://dspace.allegheny.edu/handle/10456/56851

Author(s)

Kwasnica, Anna

Date Issued

April 5, 2023

Abstract

Political participation is essential to maintaining and developing a strong, robust democracy. However, recent data has found U.S. citizens’ political engagement to be concerningly low, with 18-25 year olds demonstrating the lowest levels of participation. Previous research has suggested a correlation between mental health and political participation, but does not specifically address how anxiety and depression may affect the political involvement of young adults. In this study, we used an internet survey to test the correlation between symptoms of anxiety and depression and political participation in a sample of adults aged 18-25. We used the Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI) to measure participants’ anxiety levels, and the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI-II) to measure depression levels. A Political Participation Survey was used to assess participants’ political participation across four different areas of focus: participation in elections, engagement with political news media, social media engagement, and political activism. No significant correlation was found between anxiety and political participation or between depression and political participation. The findings of this study demonstrate a need for researchers to continue investigating the relationship between political participation and mental health.

Major

Political Science

Psychology

Honors

Psychology, 2023

First Reader(s)

Pickering, Ryan