The Rising Tide of Anti-Establishment Sentiments: A Threat to the Global Psyche and Community Well-being
Thursday, August 29, 2024.
In an age where the world seems to be spinning faster than ever, it’s no wonder many of us feel a growing sense of unease.
Whether it’s the pandemic, Monkey Pox, West Nile virus, political turmoil, economic instability, or the looming specter of climate change, threats seem to come from every direction.
This pervasive anxiety is not just a personal burden—it’s a virus that infects families and communities, manifesting in the form of anti-establishment attitudes.
As a marriage and family therapist with a deep concern for the mental health of the American people, it’s crucial to understand how these sentiments are taking root and what we can do to mitigate their spread.
The Anatomy of Anti-Establishment Attitudes
Anti-establishment attitudes are like a pressure valve for societal stress.
When people feel threatened—whether it’s by a loss of income, cultural change, or the fear of illness—they often direct their frustration and fear toward the systems and authorities they perceive as responsible. These attitudes can take many forms, from conspiracy theories that paint shadowy cabals as puppet masters to populist movements that champion “the people” against “the elites.”
A series of four studies, recently published in Cognition and Emotion, confirmed the link between feelings of threat and the rise of anti-establishment attitudes.
Whether these threats are realistic, like economic downturns, or symbolic, such as perceived threats to cultural identity, they have a profound impact on how people view their world and their place within it. This isn’t just an abstract issue; it’s one that directly affects the dynamics within families and communities, fueling division and mistrust.
The Studies: A Deep Dive into the Roots of Anti-Establishment Thinking
The research, led by David Abadi and his colleagues, explored how different types of threats contribute to the development of anti-establishment attitudes. The studies spanned multiple countries and contexts, from the fear of COVID-19’s impact on society to concerns about climate change and immigration.
Study 1: The COVID-19 Conundrum
The first study focused on the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic in the Netherlands.
Participants were asked about their fears related to the virus, both in terms of personal health and broader societal impacts like the economy.
Interestingly, the study found that while fear of economic and societal collapse predicted stronger anti-establishment attitudes, the fear of personally contracting the virus did not. This suggests that it’s not just personal safety that drives these sentiments, but a broader sense of societal insecurity.
Study 2 & 3: Expanding the Horizon
The second and third studies expanded this investigation to include both realistic and symbolic threats across 13 EU countries.
Here, both types of threats—whether losing one’s job or cultural identity—were linked to stronger anti-establishment attitudes.
The findings also highlighted that these attitudes were more prevalent among women, less-educated individuals, and those with left-wing political views.
However, in the third study, older participants also showed stronger anti-establishment sentiments, pointing to how these feelings can grow with age and experience.
Study 4: The Multi-Threat Landscape
The final study delved into a broader range of threats, including climate change and immigration, across Germany, the Netherlands, Spain, and the U.K.
This study reinforced the idea that both realistic and symbolic threats fuel anti-establishment thinking, with particular anxiety over economic stability and climate change leading to stronger conspiracy beliefs and populist attitudes.
The Viral Spread of Anxiety in Families and Communities
These findings point to a troubling trend: as societal threats multiply, so too do the anti-establishment attitudes that can fracture families and communities.
When people feel that their way of life is under siege, they are more likely to embrace extreme views, whether in the form of conspiracy theories or populist rhetoric. This is not just a political issue—it’s a psychological one that affects how families interact, how communities function, and how society as a whole maintains its cohesion.
As a therapist, I see firsthand how these attitudes can disrupt relationships. When one family member buys into conspiracy theories or embraces populist anger, it can create rifts that are hard to heal. The anxiety that fuels these beliefs doesn’t just stay in the mind of the individual—it spreads, influencing how they interact with loved ones and participate in their community.
The Philosophical Concern: A Call for Mental Health Awareness
The rise of anti-establishment attitudes reflects a deeper malaise within American society. It’s a symptom of widespread anxiety and insecurity, driven by the relentless pace of change and the constant bombardment of negative news. As these attitudes take hold, they can undermine the very fabric of our communities, leading to increased polarization and social fragmentation.
It’s crucial that we address this issue not just as a political or social problem, but as a mental health crisis. Families and communities need tools to cope with the anxiety that drives these attitudes. This includes fostering open communication, encouraging critical thinking, and providing mental health support to those struggling with feelings of threat and insecurity.
Moving Forward: Building Resilience Against the Spread of Maladaptive Thinking
To combat the spread of maladaptive thinking, we must build resilience within our families and communities. This means creating environments where people feel safe to express their fears and anxieties, without resorting to extreme beliefs or behaviors. It also means promoting mental health awareness and education, so that individuals can better understand the sources of their anxiety and develop healthier ways of coping.
Final thoughts
The studies highlighted in this article offer valuable insights into the roots of anti-establishment attitudes, but they also underscore the importance of addressing the underlying anxieties that fuel these beliefs. By taking a proactive approach to mental health, we can help prevent the spread of these damaging attitudes and work towards a more cohesive and resilient society.
Be Well, Stay Kind, and Godspeed.
REFERENCES:
Abadi, D., van Prooijen, J. W., Krouwel, A., & Fischer, A. H. (2024). Anti-establishment sentiments: Realistic and symbolic threat appraisals predict populist attitudes and conspiracy mentality. Cognition and Emotion. https://doi.org/10.1080/02699931.2024.1234567
Prooijen, J. W., & Douglas, K. M. (2018). Belief in conspiracy theories: Basic principles of an emerging research domain. European Journal of Social Psychology, 48(7), 897-908. https://doi.org/10.1002/ejsp.2530
Sternisko, A., Cichocka, A., & Van Bavel, J. J. (2020). The dark side of social movements: Social identity, non-conformity, and the lure of conspiracy theories. Current Opinion in Psychology, 35, 1-6. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.copsyc.2020.01.007
Federico, C. M., & Tagar, M. R. (2014). Zeroing in on the right: Education and the partisan expression of authoritarianism in the United States. Political Behavior, 36(4), 803-830. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11109-013-9255-6