by Frank James
A Republican aide on Capitol Hill was nice enough to point reporters this morning to this poll report from Gallup's pollsters:
PRINCETON, NJ -- Republicans are significantly more likely than Democrats or independents to rate their mental health as excellent, according to data from the last four November Gallup Health and Healthcare polls. Fifty-eight percent of Republicans report having excellent mental health, compared to 43% of independents and 38% of Democrats. This relationship between party identification and reports of excellent mental health persists even within categories of income, age, gender, church attendance, and education.
Here's a graph that runs with the Gallup report:
Here's a key passage from Gallup's report that meant to shoot down the reflexive reaction that Republicans may report enjoying better mental health because of higher incomes relative to Democrats or higher church attendance.
One could be quick to assume that these differences are based on the underlying demographic and socioeconomic patterns related to party identification in America today. A recent Gallup report (see "Strong Relationship Between Income and Mental Health" in Related Items) reviewed these mental health data more generally, and found that men, those with higher incomes, those with higher education levels, and whites are more likely than others to report excellent mental health. Some of these patterns describe characteristics of Republicans, of course.
But an analysis of the relationship between party identification and self-reported excellent mental health within various categories of age, gender, church attendance, income, education, and other variables shows that the basic pattern persists regardless of these characteristics. In other words, party identification appears to have an independent effect on mental health even when each of these is controlled for.
Gallup goes on to discuss what we are to make of these findings. Of course, many Republicans might be inclined to at these data in a cause-and-effect way, to say that a sound mind leads invariably to Republicanism and vice versa. Gallup says not so fast.
What are the implications of these findings?
Correlation is no proof of causation, of course. The reason the relationship exists between being a Republican and more positive mental health is unknown, and one cannot say whether something about being a Republican causes a person to be more mentally healthy, or whether something about being mentally healthy causes a person to choose to become a Republican (or whether some third variable is responsible for causing both to be parallel).
Previous analysis (see Related Items) shows that a number of variables are related to self-reported mental health -- including, in particular, income. Because Republicans have on average higher incomes than independents or Democrats, part of the explanation for the relationship between being a Republican and having better mental health is a result of this underlying factor. The same is true for several other variables.
But the key finding of the analyses presented here is that being a Republican appears to have an independent relationship on positive mental health above and beyond what can be explained by these types of demographic and lifestyle variables. The exact explanation for this persistent relationship -- as noted -- is unclear.
What is clear, and what Gallup didn't say, is this report will do little for the mental health of Democrats. In fact, it's guaranteed to drive many of them crazy.
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Comments
All you have to do is watch Demo leaders on TV to know that they're all suffering from deep depression, defeatism, and dumbism. Same for MorOn.org, Code Pink, International Answer, the left media and all their blogger supporters. Those people wouldn't be happy even if FDR came back to life and showered them with gold coins. On the bright side, it's hilarious for all the rest of us to watch them flail about.
Posted by: Geraldine | November 30, 2007 11:49 AM
Wow...talk about reporting the obvious. Ask any republican...they are legends in their own mind.
Posted by: bill r. | November 30, 2007 11:50 AM
All you have to do is watch Demo leaders on TV to know that they're all suffering from deep depression, defeatism, and dumbism. Same for MorOn.org, Code Pink, International Answer, the left media and all their blogger supporters. Those people wouldn't be happy even if FDR came back to life and showered them with gold coins. On the bright side, it's hilarious for all the rest of us to watch them flail about.
Posted by: Geraldine | November 30, 2007 11:50 AM
All you have to do is watch Demo leaders on TV to know that they're all suffering from deep depression, defeatism, and dumbism. Same for MorOn.org, Code Pink, International Answer, the left media and all their blogger supporters. Those people wouldn't be happy even if FDR came back to life and showered them with gold coins. On the bright side, it's hilarious for all the rest of us to watch them flail about.
Posted by: Geraldine | November 30, 2007 11:50 AM
Well this is no surprise. The most demented, deranged, mentally-impaired folks are on the Left. It's why you folks are the worst and most worthless mankind has to offer.
Posted by: John D | November 30, 2007 11:54 AM
Even the independents rate themselves about the same as the democrats. Only the republicans have a high opinion of themselves. I guess it's their "high" moral standing that gives them that boost. I hope they don't get a nose bleed from being sooo high in the standings above the rest.
Posted by: bill r. | November 30, 2007 11:55 AM
To paraphrase Ann Coulter, "If Democrats were happy, they'd be Republicans." The Democrats just prove the old saying, "Misery loves company." The theme at the Democratic convention can be: "Droopy Days are Here Again."
Posted by: Garrison | November 30, 2007 12:02 PM
Geraldine...I haven't seen the dumbest dems post the same thing three times in a row.
Posted by: bill r. | November 30, 2007 12:07 PM
Please read the article John D. Its not that you have better mental health...it's just that you think you do.
Posted by: bill r. | November 30, 2007 12:09 PM
Makes every bit of sense Republicans would say they have the best mental health. They have a solid history of delusions and lies.
Posted by: Op109 | November 30, 2007 12:11 PM
It's called "denial", necons.
We "liberals" can be honest with ourselves as well as others. Conservatives are not capable of either. (see: Mark Foley, Larry Craig, etc.)
Conservatives think they are perfect, and God's gift to....well,everything.
If only they could know the truth.
Posted by: syj | November 30, 2007 12:17 PM
bill r,
Your snark is well placed, I raise my glass in agreement.
Could there be any doubt that Republicans WOULD RATE THEMSELVES as having superior [Fill in the Blank]?
Posted by: Jones | November 30, 2007 12:18 PM
Geraldine,
Yeah you are definitely mentally stable. In the span 2 minutes you sent the same post 3 times. To a professional mental health expert that is evidence of a crazy twitch.
Posted by: jethro | November 30, 2007 12:20 PM
Wow...talk about reporting the obvious. Ask any republican...they are legends in their own mind.
Posted by: bill r. | November 30, 2007 11:50 AM
To paraphrase Ann Coulter, "If Democrats were happy, they'd be Republicans." The Democrats just prove the old saying, "Misery loves company." The theme at the Democratic convention can be: "Droopy Days are Here Again."
Posted by: Garrison | November 30, 2007 12:02 PM
Yep, Garrison, if there was anyone who is a legend in their own mind, its Anne Coulter. Anyone who quotes her in support of the "Repubs are happier" claim needs counseling.
On HBO's Real Time, she claimed that Republicans have better sex than Democrats. Bill Maher laughed in her face, not in defense of Dems, but just at the ridiculousness of the statement, especially based on the source.
Posted by: kb | November 30, 2007 12:40 PM
Well of couse they have better mental health, they don't take responsiblity for anything so have they have no guilt for the wars and massive deficits they create.
As long as they deny reality and insist they are the victims, they can go to bed feeling great, confident that all the bad stuff is the Clenis' fault.
Posted by: nisleib | November 30, 2007 12:47 PM
Well this is no surprise. The most demented, deranged, mentally-impaired folks are on the Left. It's why you folks are the worst and most worthless mankind has to offer.
Posted by: John D | November 30, 2007 11:54 AM
Denial, it ain't just a river.
Tell us again how you're a Christian, a patriot, an ethicist and so on.
Posted by: chimpymcflightsuit'snavigator | November 30, 2007 1:10 PM
Well this is no surprise. The most demented, deranged, mentally-impaired folks are on the Left. It's why you folks are the worst and most worthless mankind has to offer.
Posted by: John D | November 30, 2007 11:54 AM
Thank you John D for your wonderful example of mental illness on the right.
Posted by: AJF | November 30, 2007 1:59 PM
How can you rate your own mental health if you're delusional?
My Republican, bi-polar father thought all his problems were because of everyone else and wouldn't get help. Unfortunately, it cost him his own life.
Posted by: DD | November 30, 2007 2:35 PM
The fact that the United States government decided to disregard US law and international treaties and torture prisoners drives me absolutely crazy, so I guess this is true. I'll be feeling much better when our government isn't run by these criminals.
Posted by: Tom O | November 30, 2007 3:00 PM
John D,
Note that the poll is of individuals assessing their own mental state, not an objective analysis of their mental state.
But thank you for providing further evidence of what that analysis would show.
Posted by: Kenny Bunkport | November 30, 2007 4:14 PM
Hey Loons, I am just thankful that SOME of you recognize that those on the Left are mentally ill. More of you folks need to admit that. There is help for y'all.
Posted by: John D | November 30, 2007 4:45 PM
Not only are Republicans saner than Democrats, they're more intelligent as well.
To paraphrase Winston Churchill, "Anyone who isn't a Liberal at age 20 has no heart. Anyone who hasn't become a Conservative by age 40 has no brain."
Posted by: Bruce | November 30, 2007 4:53 PM
KBunk is on to something.
Sure, Dems. are neurotic. That is not insanity. A neurotic knows they are so, and can compensate or change behavior and even improve.
A Republican sociopath or psychopath, on the other hand is oblivious to their condition. In their insane world they think everything is wonderful, and that they are the masters of the universe.
BTW, does anyone actually know the whereabouts of John D? Is he posting from VA by any chance?
Posted by: C.Morris | November 30, 2007 5:03 PM
How can the dems have mental health? Don't they have to have mental capacity first?
Posted by: Terry | November 30, 2007 7:33 PM
"To paraphrase Winston Churchill, "Anyone who isn't a Liberal at age 20 has no heart. Anyone who hasn't become a Conservative by age 40 has no brain."
Posted by: Bruce | November 30, 2007 4:53 PM"
Neat quote. What you won't be hearing from Bruce is that Churchill was an alcoholic with serious bipolar problems.
NEXT.....
Posted by: Op109 | November 30, 2007 7:41 PM
This poll makes for great conversation, but is essentially worthless. What value is there is asking a person something subjective about themselves? It creates more questions than it answers, because it answers none.
Posted by: corran | November 30, 2007 9:14 PM
How reassuring, since self-reports are so reliable!
Actually, a group of people self-reporting 58% with excellent mental health suggests delusional thinking and/or a state of denial. Now that's not mentally healthy!
Posted by: tessablue | November 30, 2007 11:07 PM
Democrats are mad when they get up in the morning.They hate America and they don't seek excellence.
They are looking constantly for victims of our society.
Abortion is their sacrament and they know deep down killing babies is wrong. What if your mother had aborted you Dem koolaid drinkers.
Many don't have faith in God and lack respect for our country and our deeply held values.
Many want to make marijuana legal like tax cheat George Soros.
Look at Michael Moore, Cindy Sheehan etc. they are whack jobs.
Then, there is the Sierra Club, Greenspace etc. that tells the nation the climate is hotter when in the 70's Ted Danson predicted a new ice age.
No wonder this bunch is a tad crazy. Jerry White, Springfield, IL
Posted by: Jerry White | December 1, 2007 10:00 AM
John D: Exhibit A
Jerry White: Exhibit B
Thanks, fellas.
Posted by: Kenny Bunkport | December 1, 2007 11:25 AM
Hi
The mental health is very importent in life because it plays major role in our life.Life is importent than the other things in outside world so keep doing yoga to be a mental health.
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jonydepp
Hawaii Drug Treatment
Posted by: jonydepp | August 17, 2008 11:37 PM
Republicans are significantly more likely than Democrats or independents to rate their mental health as excellent, according to data from the last four November Gallup Health and Healthcare polls.
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Napoleon Bonaparte
Hawaii Drug Treatment
Posted by: Napoleon Bonaparte | August 18, 2008 12:04 AM