Do self-identified liberals suffer from higher levels of depression than their conservative counterparts? Research suggests so, which has a small circle of commentators and academics humming with theories to explain the gap.
In one study, a team of epidemiologists surveyed more than 86,000 twelfth-graders over a 13-year period and found rates of depression have been rising among all students, but much higher with progressive students.
One theory to explain the reported differences offered by the social psychologist Jonathan Haidt suggests that social media and a culture of “victimization” may be to blame, particularly among these younger demographics. Another theory focuses on a “catastrophizing” mentality attributed to a more liberal worldview. The chatter surrounding a potential link between ideology and happiness comes after the U.S. surgeon…
