A Review on the Psychological Reactions after a Presidential Election

Abstract

This paper is a review of the psychological reactions of young adults to any presidential turnout from 2006-2022. The studies generally revealed the occurrence of numerous psychological reactions and coping strategies after the election turnout. The existing literature is scarce in explaining the psychological reactions among voters, their coping strategies after the loss of their preferred candidate, their sense of fulfillment and life satisfaction after the victory of their preferred candidates, as well as their interpersonal and social relationships among family and friends. This review of literature then attempts to capture from existing studies the positive and negative psychological reactions of young adults following a Presidential election turnout and their coping reactions to the loss of their preferred candidates, and the possible impact on their well-being, their sense of fulfillment, and the sense of satisfaction when their preferred candidates won the election cycle. The review shows that voters of the losing candidate show signs of stress among other factors from the result of the elections with those who have maladaptive coping mechanisms showing higher overall levels; voters of winning candidates show signs of elation.