Younger Americans have grown up during a more competitive period that has led many to become more neurotic (low mood, anxiety, and irritability) and, in turn, to become more liberal. No such pattern was found outside the US, suggesting this is not due to aging but to generational experiences.

Neuroticism linked to liberal ideology in young Americans, but not older generations

New research published in the International Social Science Journal suggests that the relationship between personality and political beliefs in the United States varies significantly by age. The findings indicate that higher levels of neuroticism are associated with liberal ideology among young Americans, but this association is absent in older generations. This generational divide implies that growing up in a highly competitive historical period may play a role in shaping both the mental health and political orientations of American youth.

The rationale for this investigation centers on what the author calls the “Generational Hypothesis.” This theory posits that the social environment in the United States has changed drastically since the 1970s. Older Americans spent their formative years during the post-war period, an era often characterized by greater economic stability, stronger labor unions, and a more collectivistic culture.

In contrast, younger Americans have matured during a “contemporary” period defined by intense competition. This era has seen a decline in social capital, increased return on higher education alongside rising debt, and greater labor market insecurity. The researcher argues that growing up in this environment increases the likelihood of developing neurotic traits. Consequently, young people with higher neuroticism may turn to liberal ideology because it often critiques hyper-competition and advocates for social safety nets that offer protection against risk.

“The article hypothesizes that, compared to older American cohorts, **younger ones have grown up during a more competitive historical period that has led many to become more neurotic (i.e. to be more predisposed to low mood, anxiety, and irritability) and, in turn, to become more liberal**. This predicts that, in the United States, neuroticism is linked with liberal ideology in young, but not old, people. This prediction is supported in two studies.”

“These studies show that young American liberals are more neurotic than young American conservatives. Meanwhile, among older Americans, liberals and conservatives have the same level of neuroticism. **A third study found no such pattern outside the United States, suggesting that the effect observed in the United States is not due to aging but to generational experiences**. Overall, these findings highlight a potential role for neuroticism in explaining why young Americans have become more liberal.”

International Social Science Journal latest impact IF is 1.60. It’s evaluated in the year 2024.

For those interested, here’s the link to the peer reviewed journal article:

https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/issj.70025

Tell me you don’t know the definition of liberal….

Yeah, because older folks and conservatives definitely don’t have “low mood, anxiety, and **irritability**.” They’re not neurotic *at all*.

I know it’s not very scientific but to me it Seems easier to get scammed than it is to get a job, it’s more exploitative than it is competitive. Because jobs (or making money from the jobs) are thoroughly linked to success and happiness.

no such pattern was found outside the US.

we’re the *only* (?) first world country without universal healthcare, right? not to mention college. and like, you know, everything that promotes a healthy happy society.

The US keeps doubling down on far right wing policies and wondering why things keep getting worse. Given the corporate funding structure in congress, it seems so difficult for even moderate left wing candidates to emerge 

Byung-Chul Han – The Burnout Society springs to mind.

“Competitive” is such a nice word to describe what’s going on

I have doubts as to the liberal part. The last election showed how Gen Z was much more conservative than previous generations.

Well, no one was on Ritalin and Adderall back when things were better.

This pisses me off. Like I’ve been told in this way due to genetics when it could’ve been prevented by better policy

Thats not just american thing, but seems to apply in most developed countries.

Yeah, who would have though telling kids to do as I say, not as I do would cause issues.

I’ve definitely become more liberal. Was never socially conservative, but did lean fiscally conservative. It was when I started working and realized meritocracy isn’t real. People who make more that me are often idiots who can barely open emails. Inflationary raises are a myth, and promotions are super rare (maybe 1 in 200 people get one in a given year). 

I really wish they properly defined “liberal” and that it was standardized. I find people who are anywhere from so called socially liberally fiscally conservative folks to democratic socialists tend to be described as “liberal” but these are vastly different ideologies.

It makes studies like this next to useless beyond a trend that material conditions informs one’s class identity which is not new and is also not communicated in a beneficial way in these studies or reporting on them.

Gen X men are becoming more right wing. Fascism is here to stay.

I’d be very irritable as well if I had to submit hundreds of job applications and have basically nothing to show for it. That’s especially true if I live in a society that tells me my only value is how much I contribute to capitalism…

Well…that explains Reddit.

When you shift so far right that Nixon would be a liberal… yeah.

This headline suggests people become more liberal because they’re neorotic and anxious. Also they didn’t look very hard outside the US, because younger generations in the UK are also more liberal