Living in a democracy is linked to better mental health through personal autonomy
New research reveals that living in a democracy is linked to better mental health, primarily because it fulfills a basic psychological need for autonomy. The subjective experience of political freedom matters more than official institutional metrics.
Living in a democracy is linked to improved mental health, according to recent research. The key factor appears to be citizens' perception of having personal freedom within their political system. Researchers from Ghent University and the Australian Catholic University analyzed data from surveys and datasets across Europe, Asia, and the Americas. They found that as people's sense of democratic governance improved, both objectively and subjectively, their mental well-being followed suit.
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