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Democracy and Depression: A Cross-National Study of Depressive Symptoms and Nonparticipation

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  • LANDWEHR, CLAUDIA
  • OJEDA, CHRISTOPHER

Abstract

Depression is the most common mental health disorder. It has consequences not only on individuals but also on social and political levels. We argue that depressive symptoms impair political participation by reducing the motivation and physical energy of sufferers. We test our hypotheses by conducting regression analyses of four nationally representative cross-sectional and longitudinal surveys that collectively span many democracies. Our results are threefold. First, we find that the severest depressive symptoms lower the probability of voting by 0.05–0.25 points, an effect that is exceeded only by education and age. Second, we show that depressive symptoms negatively affect political interest and internal efficacy, thereby confirming that they diminish political motivation. Third, we find that depressive symptoms most strongly affect physically demanding acts, thereby confirming that they reduce the physical energy required for participation. We conclude by urging scholars to take depressive symptoms seriously in the study of political behavior.

Suggested Citation

  • Landwehr, Claudia & Ojeda, Christopher, 2021. "Democracy and Depression: A Cross-National Study of Depressive Symptoms and Nonparticipation," American Political Science Review, Cambridge University Press, vol. 115(1), pages 323-330, February.
  • Handle: RePEc:cup:apsrev:v:115:y:2021:i:1:p:323-330_22
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    Cited by:

    1. Mukhopadhyay, Sankar, 2022. "Elections have (health) consequences: Depression, anxiety, and the 2020 presidential election," Economics & Human Biology, Elsevier, vol. 47(C).
    2. Denny,Elaine Kathryn & Dow,David & Levy,Gabriella & Villamizar-Chaparro,Mateo, 2022. "Extortion and Civic Engagement among Guatemalan Deportees," Policy Research Working Paper Series 10020, The World Bank.
    3. Li, Jianghong & Giebler, Heiko & Wetter, Rebecca & Kenyon Lair, Hannah & Ellingwood, Julia, 2023. "Unequal electoral participation: the negative effects of long work hours and unsociable work schedules in Europe," EconStor Open Access Articles and Book Chapters, ZBW - Leibniz Information Centre for Economics, vol. 6(1), pages 92-113.
    4. De Luca, Giacomo Davide & Lin, Xi, 2024. "The role of health and health systems in promoting social capital, political participation and peace: A narrative review," Health Policy, Elsevier, vol. 141(C).
    5. Onah Peter Thompson & Jonathan Hall & James Igoe Walsh, 2021. "Information, Anxiety, and Persuasion: Analyzing Return Intentions of Displaced Persons," HiCN Working Papers 362, Households in Conflict Network.

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