AUSTIN (KXAN) — As the November midterm election approaches, political advertisements and news coverage are becoming more prevalent. A recent study from Texas A&M University has found that the type of political information employees consume can significantly impact their mood and workplace engagement.
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Led by Ian Hughes, an assistant professor in Psychological and Brain Sciences, the study involved tracking over 300 workers over a nine-week period during the 2024 U.S. presidential primaries. The findings indicated that consuming negative political information increased anxiety and decreased work engagement, while positive political information led to feelings of hope and enhanced workplace engagement.
Hughes explained in an interview that the goal was to understand how political media might affect employee behavior. The researchers monitored workers on a weekly basis to assess the impact of political content.
The study found that individuals who consumed more negative political media experienced heightened anxiety and lower engagement levels at work. Conversely, those who engaged with more positive political content reported greater hope and subsequently increased workplace engagement.
Regarding the duration of these effects, Hughes noted that while short-term exposure to negative political content raised anxiety levels, its long-term effects seemed to diminish. In contrast, individuals who consistently consumed positive political content throughout the primaries maintained ongoing benefits, becoming more hopeful and engaged.
Hughes advised employers to be aware of the political climate affecting their employees but emphasized that they should not dictate what political content employees should follow. Instead, he encouraged understanding the inseparability of personal and professional lives amidst politically charged times.
For individuals feeling overwhelmed by the news cycle, Hughes suggested staying informed while also allowing themselves to disengage periodically to maintain their well-being.