Stressed out by politics? You’re not imagining it, and research shows that social media is largely to blame

Political content on social media finds you even if you’re not looking for it, and it tends to do so through a sensationalized and emotionally charged lens.

By: Stephen Neely, University of South Florida, The Conversation

Outlets: The Conversation

Published: March 3, 2026

Words: 1,052

Last Updated: 1 week ago

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By Stephen Neely, University of South Florida

Does politics stress you out? Did the last election cause you to lose sleep, lose your temper or lose a friend? If so, you weren’t alone.

For the better part of two decades, the American Psychological Association has documented a steady increase in the phenomenon of “political stress” among American voters. However, research and reporting during that same period have focused primarily on the political consequences …

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