Florida State University psychology expert Corinne Carlton-Smith says setting boundaries around news consumption, challenging worst-case thinking and focusing on meaningful civic engagement can help people manage election-related anxiety.
Key Points
FSU psychology expert Corinne Carlton-Smith says setting boundaries around news consumption, challenging worst-case thinking and focusing on meaningful civic engagement can help people manage election-related anxiety.
As Americans await results from the Nov. 3 midterm elections and consider what they mean for the future, the steady stream of political news and social media commentary can add to feelings of stress and uncertainty.
The polls may be closing Tuesday, but election-related anxiety doesn’t necessarily end on Election Day. As Americans await results from the Nov. 3 midterm elections and consider what they mean for the future, the steady stream of political news and social media commentary can add to feelings of stress and uncertainty.
Florida State University psychology expert Corinne Carlton-Smith says setting boundaries around news consumption, challenging worst-case thinking and focusing on meaningful civic engagement can help people manage election-related anxiety.
How does constant exposure to election news and high-stakes political messaging affect cognitive processing, stress responses and daily decision making in young adults?
“Political messaging, especially during election cycles, often emphasizes what could go wrong, what is at stake and the potential consequences. This naturally captures our attention because our brains are wired to prioritize information that may be relevant to our safety and well-being. When exposure to this kind of content becomes continuous, this can contribute to stress and interfere with cognitive processes such as attention, concentration and decision making. When a significant amount of our attention is directed toward monitoring potential threats or worrying about uncertain outcomes, fewer resources may be available for other activities, such as studying, working or making everyday decisions.”
Young voters primarily receive political news via short-form media and social feeds. How does the rapid, algorithmic delivery of doomscrolling or outrage-driven content exacerbate psychological distress?
“A challenge of social media is that information is often delivered quickly, repeatedly and often without much opportunity for reflection. Doomscrolling can become a particularly difficult cycle because individuals may continue looking for information in an attempt to reduce uncertainty. They may believe that reading one more article or watching one more video will help them feel more prepared or in control. However, when the information continues to emphasize threats and uncertainty, the process may actually increase anxiety rather than alleviate it.”
What evidence-based strategies or cognitive tools can young adults use to manage election anxiety without completely disengaging from the democratic process?
“A useful strategy is to become intentional about how and when we consume political news. Setting aside a specific time to review information from reliable sources can be more manageable than repeatedly checking throughout the day. This way, we can stay informed while reducing the emotional demands associated with continuous news exposure. Additionally, cognitive-behavioral approaches are useful as they encourage people to examine their interpretations of stressful situations and distinguish between realistic concerns and assumptions about worst-case scenarios. Participating through voting or volunteering can translate concern into meaningful engagement.”
How can young people structure micro-boundaries around news consumption without feeling guilty that they are abandoning their civic duty?
“I think it is important to challenge the assumption that being a responsible citizen requires constant attention to political news. One approach is to establish what I would call small, intentional boundaries around news consumption.These might involve checking political news at designated times, turning off nonessential notifications, avoiding political content immediately before bedtime, or taking brief breaks from social media when the information becomes overwhelming. I also think it is helpful for young adults to recognize that civic responsibility is reflected in the quality of their engagement. Someone who spends 20 minutes reading credible news coverage and then takes meaningful civic action may be engaging more constructively than someone who spends several hours scrolling through distressing political content without a clear purpose.”
How can voters differentiate between actionable civic concern and unhelpful catastrophizing during intense news cycles?
“I think the distinction comes down to whether our concern is helping us understand a situation and respond constructively, or whether it is keeping us focused on increasingly negative possibilities without leading to meaningful action.Some degree of concern can motivate people to seek information, evaluate candidates, vote or become involved in issues that matter to them. However, catastrophizing occurs when we begin interpreting uncertain situations in terms of the worst possible outcomes. One useful cognitive strategy is to pause and evaluate the thought itself. Is this conclusion supported by the available evidence? Am I distinguishing between what is possible and what is probable? Is there something constructive I can do about the situation? These questions can help individuals recognize when they are moving from realistic concern into repetitive, unproductive worry.”
