1 - (IOP 39) Understanding the Political Divide in Mental Health Service Utilization: Help-seeking and Internalized Distress in Young Adults

Research on young adults in the U.S. suggests discrepancies in mental health services utilization, help-seeking attitudes, and internalizing symptoms across political affiliations (Gimbrone et al., 2021; Spahlholz et al., 2023). Previous studies have found that liberal-leaning young adults are more likely to seek mental health services and hold more favorable attitudes toward professional help. In contrast, conservative-learning young adults are less likely to seek mental health treatment (Anglin et al., 2006). Differences in anxiety and depression based on political affiliation and geographic region are mixed. This research must be replicated with several samples to maintain pace with the constantly evolving political division and cultural shifts in the U.S.
As part of a larger study, 403 (Mage=21.73; 70.7% Women; 89.1% White) participants completed an anonymous online survey in the Midwest U.S. from November 2022 to December 2024. The GAD-2 and PHQ-2 measured internalizing symptoms, and the Stigma of Help-Seeking Scale (SHS; Vogel et al., 2006) measured attitudes and beliefs about seeking help. A single item assessed political affiliation with response options of Democrat, Republican, Independent, and Other (with text entry). One dichotomous item examined a respondent’s history of mental health service utilization.
Descriptive statistics founds the sample’s political affiliation was distributed across the political spectrum, with 37.5% Republican, 34.2% Democrat, 24.3% Independent, and 4% self-described. SHS scores found significant differences between Democrat participants compared to Republican and Independent participants (F(3, 399) = 9.409, p <.001), with Democrats reporting more favorable help-seeking attitudes than the other groups. Post-hoc analyses exhibited specific group differences. Republicans reported significantly less utilization of mental health treatment than Democrats and Independents (F(3, 399) = 9.687, p <.001). No significant differences in anxiety or depression were found based on political affiliation (F(3, 399) = .922, p = .430; F(3,399) = 1.671, p = .173). Results found no internalizing differences across political affiliation; however, attitudes and behaviors toward treatment differed by political affiliation.
Understanding patterns of help-seeking behavior can inform mental health initiatives aimed at reducing barriers to care for young adults across the political spectrum. Promoting psychological well-being for all is important messaging, regardless of political affiliation. Since mental health service utilization is related to political affiliation, intervention research may not be representative of more conservative individuals. Results from this study suggest that it is important that clinical research and interventions assess for and include all political ideologies to promote mental health treatment for all. Further, these findings suggest that the social stigma of mental illness may not have been adequately addressed in more conservative-leaning communities. Implications for addressing mental health difficulties that foster more integrated communities and collaborative well-being are important outcomes of this research.