Half of Americans Stressed Out by Election

By Amy Orciari Herman

Edited by Susan Sadoughi, MD, and André Sofair, MD, MPH

Some 52% of U.S. adults find the 2016 presidential election to be a "very or somewhat significant source of stress," according to an online survey conducted by the American Psychological Association (APA).

Over 3500 adults aged 18 and older completed the survey in August 2016. Among the other findings:

• Rates of stress were similar among Democrats and Republicans, and among women and men.

• Those over age 70 were most likely to feel election stress (59%), while those aged 38 to 51 were least likely (45%).

• Some 60% of Americans with disabilities found the election stressful, versus 48% of those without disabilities.

• Stress was more common among adults who used social media (54%) than among those who did not (45%).

The APA offers these tips for coping:

• "Limit your media consumption. Read just enough to stay informed."

• Don't talk politics if you think the discussion could "escalate to conflict."

• "Whatever happens on Nov. 8, life will go on. ... Avoid catastrophizing."