ERIC Number: EJ1448272
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2024
Pages: 11
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0744-8481
EISSN: EISSN-1940-3208
Election-Related Sociopolitical Stress and Coping among College Students in the United States
Parissa J. Ballard; Lindsay Till Hoyt; Neshat Yazdani; Mariah Kornbluh; Alison K. Cohen; Amanda L. Davis; Melissa J. Hagan
Journal of American College Health, v72 n8 p2494-2504 2024
Objective: The present study examines sociopolitical stress, coping, and well-being among college students. Participants: Young adult college students (N = 588; ages 18-29; 72% cisgender women) from 10 universities in the USA participated in this study. Methods: Participants completed a 45-minute online survey with closed-ended and open-ended questions, administered via Qualtrics. Results: Election-related sociopolitical stress was high with notable differences across students' demographic backgrounds (e.g., Hispanic/Latinx students, women, and sexual minority students reported high sociopolitical stress). Among those who reported being stressed by the election (N = 448), closed-ended and open-ended data reveal coping strategies including self-care, drugs and alcohol, and further civic action/political participation. Higher sociopolitical stress predicted more depression and many coping strategies were related with flourishing. Conclusions: Young adult college students are experiencing election-related sociopolitical stress and are coping in different ways. More work is needed to understand what coping strategies support well-being. Implications for colleges are discussed.
Descriptors: Elections, Social Influences, Political Influences, Stress Variables, Coping, College Students, Well Being, Racial Differences, Gender Differences, Sexual Identity, LGBTQ People, Individual Differences, Daily Living Skills, Drinking, Drug Use, Citizen Participation, Depression (Psychology), Mental Health
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education; Postsecondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A