Affect in anticipation of the 2020 U.S. presidential election in a sample of Latinx adults living on the U.S.–Mexico border: A daily diary study.

Abstract

Donald Trump’s election campaign in 2016 and subsequent presidential administration involved significant anti-Latinx rhetoric and coincided with an increase in hate crimes against people from racial/ethnic minority groups. The present study investigated Latinx Americans’ psychological health surrounding the 2020 U.S. election and Trump’s possible re-election, specifically focusing on anticipatory stress leading up to the election. One hundred ten Latinx participants (71% Mexican-American, 74% women, M = 23.6 years old) were included in the study, which occurred entirely online. We used a daily diary approach to measure participants’ affect, anxiety, and depression during a 14-day period, starting 1 week before the election. Piecewise growth models were used to examine trajectories during three separate periods of time: before Election Day, after Election Day before the winner was announced, and after the winner was announced. Depression, anxiety, and negative affect increased in anticipation of Election Day among those who did not vote or intend to vote for Trump. Following Election Day but before Biden was announced the winner, negative outcomes decreased while positive affect increased. Then, following the announcement of Biden as a winner, positive affect returned to baseline and negative outcomes remained stable. Exploratory analyses identified additional trait measures that moderated anticipatory stress, including nativity and ethnic identity. The 2020 U.S. presidential election was a stressful period of time for Latinx Americans. Increases in negative psychological outcomes were evident in anticipation of the election, suggesting macrolevel events can impact individuals’ health and well-being.