New research explores how depressive symptoms affect political participation across democracies.
Data & Methods
This paper analyzes four nationally representative surveys spanning many democratic countries using regression analyses.
Key Findings
* Depressive symptoms significantly reduce voting probability (0.05-0.25 points).
* They negatively impact political interest and internal efficacy, key motivators for participation.
* Symptoms disproportionately affect physically demanding political activities like campaigning or volunteering.
Real-World Relevance
These findings highlight a critical but often overlooked factor in democratic processes, urging scholars to seriously consider mental health when examining voter turnout.
| Democracy and Depression: A Cross-National Study of Depressive Symptoms and Non-Participation was authored by Claudia Landwehr and Christopher Ojeda. It was published by Cambridge in APSR in 2021. |
