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Cited by 31Terrorism, Counterterrorism, and Political ViolenceMisinformation and Its ImpactsPopulism, Right-Wing Movements

The Political Consequences of Depression: How Conspiracy Beliefs, Participatory Inclinations, and Depression Affect Support for Political Violence

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Baum, Matthew A., Druckman, James N., Simonson, Matthew D., Lin, Jennifer, Perlis, Roy H.·2024·American Journal of Political Science
DOI 10.1111/ajps.12827
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Abstract

Depression can affect individuals’ attitudes by enhancing cognitive biases and altering perceptions of control. We investigate the relationship between depressive symptoms and Americans’ attitudes regarding domestic extremist violence. We develop a theory that suggests the association between depression and support for political violence depends on conspiracy beliefs, participatory inclinations, and their combination. We test our theory using a two‐wave national survey panel from November 2020 and January 2021. We find that among those who hold conspiracy beliefs and/or have participatory inclinations, depression is positively associated with support for election violence and the January 6 Capitol riots. The participatory inclination dynamic is particularly strong for men. Our findings reveal how the intersection of two concerning features of American society—poor mental health and conspiratorial beliefs—strongly relate to another feature: support for political violence. The results also make clear that interventions aimed at addressing depression can potentially have substantial political consequences.

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Cited by

Sorted by citations

Authors
Baum, M. A., Druckman, J. N., Simonson, M. D., Lin, J., & Perlis, R. H.
Affiliations
  • Harvard University (US)
  • Northwestern University (US)
  • Hebrew University of Jerusalem (IL)
Corresponding author
Druckman, James N.
ORCID
Venue
American Journal of Political Science
Publisher
Wiley
Published
2023-09-11
Volume
68
Issue
2
Pages
575-594
ISSN
  • 0092-5853 (ISSN-L)
  • 1540-5907
DOI
10.1111/ajps.12827
OpenAlex
W4386620939
Cited by
31
References
10
Citations by year
2026: 9 · 2025: 15 · 2024: 5 · 2023: 1 · 2022: 1
FWCI
12.95
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
Locations
American Journal of Political Science (publishedVersion, cc-by)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Sociology and Political Science › Terrorism, Counterterrorism, and Political Violence
  • Social Sciences › Sociology and Political Science › Misinformation and Its Impacts
  • Social Sciences › Political Science and International Relations › Populism, Right-Wing Movements
Keywords
depression, conspiracy beliefs, support for political violence, electoral violence, January 6 Capitol riot, mental health, gender differences, political attitudes, cognitive biases

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