A post-election poll of American adults found that most want to avoid political discussions and some family members they disagree with during the holidays.
“Ahead of the 2024 presidential election, many Americans face lingering fears and insecurities that can significantly affect our well-being and relationships,” said American Psychological Association (APA) CEO Dr Arthur C Evans Jr.
“Avoiding conflict is not the same as coping with stress. If we distance ourselves from others because of anticipated disagreements, we risk losing the relationships and communities that are critical to our well-being, especially during stressful times.”
APA’s Stress in America 2024 survey ahead of the election found that more than three-quarters of adults (77 percent) said the nation’s future is a significant source of stress in their lives.
To find out how that might change after the election, The Harris Poll, on behalf of the APA, surveyed more than 2,000 American adults ages 18 and older between November 25 and 27, 2024.
The survey found that more than one-third of adults (35 percent) said they were more stressed about the nation’s future now than they were before the election – and another third said they were less stressed now (32 percent).
Meanwhile, about one-quarter of adults (24 percent) said their stress about the nation’s future had not changed, and 9 percent said they were not stressed about the nation’s future then or now.
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Time to forget politics
An overwhelming majority of people (83 percent) agreed that the holidays are a time to forget political differences, regardless of whether their preferred candidate won or lost the election, or whether they now feel more or less stressed about our nation’s future than it was before. leading up to the election.
Despite the political and social tensions that may remain after the election, more than 7 in 10 adults (71 percent) said that celebrating the holidays this year will be a welcome distraction from their stress.
“Despite the tension leading up to the election, people continue to show that they value meaningful relationships with friends and family over political disagreements,” Evans said.
“While conversations about politics and other sensitive topics can be challenging, seeking to understand different perspectives can strengthen and enrich our relationships.”
Tips for sensitive conversations
The APA offers the following advice to people who want to have sensitive holiday conversations:
• Be open and kind. Listen and ask questions to understand the other person, not to create a counterargument.
• Find areas where you agree. You may disagree on certain topics, but you share the same core values.
• Accept that you cannot change the other person’s mind. Instead, use the conversation as an opportunity to talk about your own experiences.
• Remember that the holidays are about bringing people together, not driving them apart, and focus on the good memories you and your family members have in common.
• Know when to end a conversation. If you find yourself tired, try taking a deep breath, changing the subject of the conversation, or suggesting another activity—but reinforce that you value the relationship you share with the other person.
