Year: 2026
Type: preprint
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: Political participation is a central mechanism through which citizens influence democratic governance and public policy. Existing research suggests that individuals in poorer health often participate less in politics, particularly voting, but most studies rely on broad health indicators and focus narrowly on electoral participation. This study examines how chronic pain, a highly prevalent and consequential health condition, is associated with different forms of political participation among adults in the United States. Using data from a nationally representative U.S. survey conducted in September 2024 (N = 4,666), we examine intentions to vote, volunteer, donate, and discuss politics on social media in the subsequent 12 months. Weighted logistic regression models estimate associations between chronic pain and intended political participation net of covariates; we also assess whether political interest helps explain observed relationships between chronic pain and political participation. We find that associations between chronic pain and intended political participation vary across participation forms. Respondents with low-impact chronic pain were significantly more likely to report intentions to discuss politics on social media (OR = 1.28), while high-impact chronic pain was initially associated with lower intentions to vote (OR = 0.59) and donate to political campaigns (OR = 0.75), although these associations were attenuated after adjustment for socioeconomic characteristics. Political interest did not explain observed associations between chronic pain and political participation. These findings suggest that chronic pain may shape how individuals participate politically rather than whether they participate politically at all.
Source: Research Square
Institutions: Western University, Boston University
Language: English
Field: Social Sciences
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W7165794614