COVID-19 stressors, mental/emotional distress and political support

Bernardi, Luca ORCID: 0000-0001-5875-9990 and Gotlib, Ian H (2022) COVID-19 stressors, mental/emotional distress and political support WEST EUROPEAN POLITICS, 46 (2). pp. 425-436. ISSN 0140-2382, 1743-9655

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Abstract

The effects of COVID-19 on democracy and mental health are still under investigation. In this article, it is considered that, on average, higher COVID-19 stressors and symptoms of distress are associated with lower political support and that higher COVID-19 stressors are associated with higher symptoms of mental/emotional distress. This formulation was tested by conducting two online surveys in Britain in August 2020 and March 2021. Strong support was found for this hypothesis. Greater worry about COVID-19 life changes is associated with a lower evaluation of government performance on the pandemic and with a lower perceived responsiveness of the political system; higher COVID-19 stress resulting from anti-pandemic measures is associated with a poorer evaluation of government performance and, subsequently, with less trust in government. It was also found that higher COVID-19 worry and stress were associated with more symptoms of mental/emotional distress. These findings highlight that pandemic-related stressors may influence people’s political engagement and mental health.

Item Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	COVID-19, democracy, depression, anxiety, stress
Divisions:	Faculty of Humanities & Social Sciences > School of Histories, Languages and Cultures
Depositing User:	Symplectic Admin
Date Deposited:	15 Mar 2022 16:27
Last Modified:	16 Jun 2026 11:51
DOI:	10.1080/01402382.2022.2055372
Related Websites:	Author Publisher
URI:	https://livrepository.liverpool.ac.uk/id/eprint/3150625
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