The impact of political climate on student health and wellbeing: a qualitative study

The intensifying polarization in the U.S. political climate raises concerns about student mental health. While studies have documented psychological distress among young adults during prior election cycles, student well-being following the political turbulence of the 2024 election has not been well-defined. This study explores how university students perceive and navigate their health and well-being in this context.

We conducted a qualitative freelisting study of currently enrolled undergraduate and graduate students at the University of Pennsylvania between June and July 2025. Participants were recruited by convenience sampling at high-traffic campus locations and completed freelisting questions on attitudes, behaviors, and perceptions related to health and well-being. Responses were cleaned through iterative coding and grouped into thematic categories. The Smith Salience Index (S) was calculated using the AnthroTools R package to identify the most salient responses. (24) Subgroup analyses were performed by sex, student level, race and ethnicity, and international-student status.

Seventy-three students participated (median age 25 [20-31]; 64% female; 40% Asian; 33% White; 21% international). The most salient emotions regarding the political climate were uncertainty or instability (S = 0.14) and anxiety or concern (S = 0.13). Top physical health practices included exercise (S = 0.55) and diet management (S = 0.18). For mental health, students emphasized spending time (S = 0.16) and talking with (S = 0.16) support systems. Key barriers to health were workload and pressure (S = 0.23), stress (S = 0.12), and financial strain (S = 0.11). Facilitators included strong support systems (S = 0.35) and access to wellness resources (S = 0.12). Students recommended that universities expand mental health resources (S = 0.21), improve transparency (S = 0.12), and enhance food accessibility (S = 0.09).

Students reported high levels of uncertainty, anxiety, and stress amid political instability and relied on social connections and health-promoting behaviors to sustain well-being. Institutional strategies that enhance transparent communication, strengthen social connectedness, and expand access to mental health and basic needs resources may mitigate sociopolitical stressors affecting student health during turbulent times.