Most U.S. adults are planning to steer clear of political discussions during the holiday season, according to a survey conducted by the American Psychological Association (APA). The survey reveals that 72% of adults wish to avoid politics with family members over the holidays. Despite this, 65% do not worry about political discussions affecting their family relationships, although 39% feel stressed about politics potentially arising at gatherings.

The survey also highlights that nearly 38% of adults intend to avoid family members they disagree with politically. Younger adults are more inclined to distance themselves from such interactions compared to those aged 65 and older.

"Leading up to the 2024 presidential election, many Americans faced prolonged worry and uncertainty, which can significantly impact our well-being and relationships," said APA CEO Arthur C. Evans Jr., PhD. He emphasized that avoiding conflict does not equate to coping with stress and warned against distancing oneself from crucial relationships.

Before the election, APA's Stress in America survey indicated that 77% of adults viewed the nation's future as a significant stressor. Post-election data from The Harris Poll shows mixed feelings: 35% feel more stressed about the nation's future now than before the election, while another third feels less stressed.

The poll found that those who are more stressed about national issues tend to want to avoid political conversations during holidays (80%) compared to those who are less stressed (65%). Moreover, most adults agree that holidays should be a time for forgetting political differences.

"Despite tensions leading up to the election, people have consistently shown that they value meaningful relationships with friends and family over political disagreements," Evans stated. He suggested seeking understanding through open dialogue as a way to strengthen bonds.

For those wishing to engage across differing views, APA advises being open-minded and focusing on shared values rather than attempting persuasion. They also recommend ending conversations when tensions rise but reinforcing relationship values.

Further details on these findings can be accessed on APA's Stress in America webpage.

The methodology involved an online survey by The Harris Poll for APA between November 25-27, 2024, among over 2,000 U.S. adults aged 18+. The margin of error is ±2.5 percentage points at a 95% confidence level.