Üsküdar University NPİSTANBUL Hospital Specialist Clinical Psychologist Solin Çekin made evaluations about the effects of the current election period on human psychology. Experts say that during political election periods, people often go through an emotionally and psychologically intense process. Noting that many different factors can negatively affect human psychology during election periods, Specialist Clinical Psychologist Solin Çekin said, “Constantly being exposed to opposing political content can create anxiety and anger. Media and social media restrictions can help maintain spiritual and emotional balance. In addition, it is important for the protection of mental health to increase the time that the person spares for himself in a quality order. Activities such as doing sports, going for a nature walk, engaging in hobbies will support the person in this respect.” made suggestions.
Elections are the right to express oneself
Specialist Clinical Psychologist Solin Çekin started her speech by stating that the political election periods in Turkey are generally the periods when people experience intense emotional and psychological processes, and said, “Elections offer the opportunity for people in the society to express their right to consider their policies, managerial preferences and country administration. Therefore, the individual who has a say in the election process experiences the feeling of feeling valuable along with the right to express himself. said.
Feelings of 'excitement and despair' pre-election predominate
Indicating that the election campaigns of political parties and candidates are quite intense in the elections in Turkey, Çekin said, “The periods of unity and solidarity in the elections can create intense feelings of solidarity and excitement, as well as negatively affecting people's psychology.” He made a statement and talked about three periods that emerged during election times.
Çekin defined the pre-election period as 'a phase in which feelings of excitement and hopelessness predominate', saying, “As much as it has the potential to rise hopes, it can also trigger periods of anxiety and despair. While those who are excited for the candidate or party they support may have their hopes, there may also be a segment who cannot pursue their dreams and are hopeless because of the candidate or party they do not support. used the phrases.
Desperate voters may experience intense anxiety with anxiety about the future
Noting that the election period can be a stressful time, Çekin said, “People may be worried about the future of the country and how the election results will affect their lives. In addition, the language used by candidates and parties in elections can sometimes be polarizing and aggressive. This can create feelings of stress and anxiety. However, when the hopeless voter is worried about the future, he may experience intense anxiety. The performance of candidates and parties below their expectations or the fact that the election results are below the targets that the voters want can lead to moral deterioration in the voters. he said.
Polarization can lead to ignoring different points of view
Specialist Clinical Psychologist Solin Çekin pointed out that in the post-election period, an atmosphere that may cause polarization may occur and said, “People can differ because they have different political views. This separation can make people feel hostile to their bonding and can lead to disruption of peace and harmony in society. In addition, polarization can cause people to turn to sources close to their own viewpoints and ignore different points of view in their choice of information.” warned.
Conscious media use is important for mental health
Pointing out that election periods can be a stressful time due to the debates of politicians, campaign processes including their promises and uncertainties about the future, Çekin said that the individual can take some measures to protect his or her mental health during this process. Çekin listed these measures as follows:
“While it is especially important to follow the news, constant exposure to political news can increase anxiety and stress levels. By making 'conscious media use', that is, watching the news at a certain time, taking care to obtain reliable information and avoiding misleading or emotional content has an important place. Evaluating and analyzing more different views and using critical thinking in such news content will also be beneficial for our cognitive flexibility. In this way, the individual can create a more balanced environment in his relations with individuals with different views. Empathy is also important here. Thus, a discreet communication takes place.”
Social media can be a source of stress
Specialist Clinical Psychologist Solin Çekin, who underlined that social media can also be a source of stress, although it provides fast and wide information protection at the beginning of the election, concluded by saying:
“Constant exposure to counter-political content can cause anxiety and anger. Media and social media restrictions can help maintain spiritual and emotional balance. In addition, it is important for the protection of mental health to increase the time that the person spares for himself in a quality order. Activities such as doing sports, going for a nature walk, engaging in hobbies will support the person in this respect.”