TruthOrFake Logo
TruthOrFake
Fact Check: "Woke' People More Likely To Be Unhappy, Anxious And Depressed, New Study Suggests

Fact Check: "Woke' People More Likely To Be Unhappy, Anxious And Depressed, New Study Suggests

Published April 6, 2025
ByFactChecker 1.1 avatarFactChecker 1.1
?
VERDICT
Unverified

# The Claim: "'Woke' People More Likely To Be Unhappy, Anxious And Depressed, New Study Suggests" ## Introduction Recent claims have emerged suggesti...

The Claim: "'Woke' People More Likely To Be Unhappy, Anxious And Depressed, New Study Suggests"

Introduction

Recent claims have emerged suggesting that individuals who identify with "woke" ideologies—often associated with progressive social justice beliefs—are more likely to experience unhappiness, anxiety, and depression. This assertion is based on a study published in the Scandinavian Journal of Psychology, which reportedly found a correlation between the endorsement of "woke" attitudes and mental health issues. This article will explore the findings of the study, the methodology used, and the implications of these claims while maintaining a critical perspective.

What We Know

  1. Study Overview: The study in question was conducted by researchers at the University of Turku in Finland and involved nearly 6,000 participants, including university faculty, students, and members of the general public. It aimed to assess the relationship between "woke" beliefs and mental health outcomes, specifically anxiety and depression 16.

  2. Findings: According to the study, individuals who strongly align with "woke" beliefs—defined in part by their commitment to critical social justice—report higher levels of anxiety and depression compared to those with less alignment to these beliefs 135.

  3. Survey Methodology: The researchers developed a psychological assessment tool to measure the endorsement of "woke" attitudes. The initial survey was refined and expanded to ensure a representative sample of the Finnish population 24.

  4. Publication: The findings were published in the Scandinavian Journal of Psychology, a peer-reviewed journal, which adds a level of credibility to the research 17.

Analysis

Source Evaluation

  • Credibility of the Study: The Scandinavian Journal of Psychology is a reputable academic journal, which suggests that the study underwent peer review. However, the interpretation of its findings has been widely reported by various media outlets, which may introduce bias in how the results are presented 17.

  • Media Reporting: Outlets such as the New York Post and Washington Examiner have reported on the study, but these sources may have their own editorial slants. For instance, the New York Post has a reputation for sensationalism, which could affect the framing of the findings 23. The Daily Mail and National Post also reported on the study, but they tend to focus on more sensational headlines, which may not accurately reflect the nuances of the research 96.

  • Conflicts of Interest: Some commentators, such as those from the Manhattan Institute, have noted that the framing of the study may align with certain political agendas, particularly those critical of progressive ideologies 8. This raises questions about potential bias in interpreting the data.

Methodological Concerns

  • Correlation vs. Causation: The study identifies a correlation between "woke" beliefs and mental health issues, but it does not establish causation. It is essential to consider other factors that might contribute to anxiety and depression, such as socioeconomic status, personal experiences, or broader societal issues 16.

  • Sample Diversity: While the study claims to have a representative sample, further details about the demographics of participants (e.g., age, socioeconomic background, geographic location) would provide a clearer picture of the generalizability of the findings 24.

  • Definition of "Woke": The term "woke" itself is often used variably and can carry different meanings depending on the context. The lack of a clear, universally accepted definition in the study may affect the validity of its conclusions 910.

Conclusion

Verdict: Unverified

The claim that "woke" individuals are more likely to experience unhappiness, anxiety, and depression remains unverified due to several factors. While the study published in the Scandinavian Journal of Psychology suggests a correlation between "woke" beliefs and mental health issues, it does not establish a causal relationship. The findings are based on a large sample size, yet the lack of clarity regarding the definition of "woke," potential biases in media reporting, and the absence of comprehensive demographic data limit the robustness of the conclusions drawn.

Moreover, the study's reliance on self-reported measures and the potential influence of external factors on mental health outcomes introduce further uncertainty. As such, it is crucial for readers to approach these findings with skepticism and to consider the broader context in which they exist.

Readers are encouraged to critically evaluate information and seek out additional research to form a well-rounded understanding of the relationship between ideological beliefs and mental health.

Sources

  1. Study: "Woke" attitudes linked to anxiety, depression, and a lack of happiness - PsyPost (https://www.psypost.org/study-woke-attitudes-linked-to-anxiety-depression-and-a-lack-of-happiness/)
  2. 'Woke' people more likely to be unhappy, anxious and depressed, new study suggests - New York Post (https://nypost.com/2024/03/17/health/woke-people-more-likely-to-be-unahppy-anxious-and-depressed-new-study-suggests/)
  3. Study suggests ‘woke’ people likely to be unhappy and depressed - Washington Examiner (https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/2927026/study-woke-people-likely-unhappy-depressed/)
  4. Woke people are more unhappy in life than conservatives, study finds - GB News (https://www.gbnews.com/news/world/woke-people-more-unhappy-life-conservatives)
  5. Woke People More Prone To Unhappiness, Anxiety, And Depression, Says Study - NDTV (https://www.ndtv.com/feature/woke-people-more-prone-to-unhappiness-anxiety-and-depression-says-study-5266080)
  6. Study links 'woke' ideologies to higher anxiety and depression - National Post (https://nationalpost.com/news/woke-beliefs-linked-to-higher-anxiety-depression)
  7. Study finds 'woke' people more likely to be unhappy, anxious, and depressed - AllSides (https://www.allsides.com/news/2024-03-18-0046/general-news-study-finds-woke-people-more-likely-be-unhappy-anxious-and)
  8. The Mental Health Crisis Does Not Explain Wokeness - Manhattan Institute (https://manhattan.institute/article/the-mental-health-crisis-does-not-explain-wokeness)
  9. People who have 'woke' opinions are more likely to be depressed and anxious, study suggests - Daily Mail Online (https://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-13211757/woke-attitudes-linked-anxiety-depression-study.html)
  10. Woke People More Likely To Be Anxious, Unhappy And Depressed: Study - TimelineDaily (https://timelinedaily.com/offbeat/woke-people-more-likely-to-be-anxious-unhappy-and-depressed-study)

Have a claim you want to verify? It's 100% Free!

Our AI-powered fact-checker analyzes claims against thousands of reliable sources and provides evidence-based verdicts in seconds. Completely free with no registration required.

💡 Try:
"Coffee helps you live longer"
✓100% Free
✓No Registration
✓Instant Results

Comments

Leave a comment

Loading comments...

More Fact Checks to Explore

Discover similar claims and stay informed with these related fact-checks

Fact Check: "Woke' People More Likely To Be Unhappy, Anxious And Depressed, New Study Suggests
Unverified
🎯 Similar

Fact Check: "Woke' People More Likely To Be Unhappy, Anxious And Depressed, New Study Suggests

Detailed fact-check analysis of: "Woke' People More Likely To Be Unhappy, Anxious And Depressed, New Study Suggests

Apr 6, 2025
Read more →
🔍
True
🎯 Similar

Fact Check: Autistic Non-Verbal Episodes in Marriage: Why Words Vanish Sometimes and What to Do About It Neurodiverse Couples Tuesday, august 12, 2025. Here’s the scene: You’re in the middle of a conversation with your spouse. Maybe the topic is small (“Did you pay the water bill?”) or monumental (“Are we happy?”). And then—without warning—your autistic partner’s voice disappears. No yelling, no slammed doors. Just… gone. You’re left holding the conversational steering wheel while they’ve quietly climbed into the trunk. If you’ve never lived with high-functioning autism, this can be tragically misconstrued as stonewalling or contempt. It isn’t. It’s just neurology pulling the emergency brake. Why This Happens: The Science Without the Lab Coat Smell For autistic adults, losing speech under stress is often a shutdown—a form of nervous system overload that knocks language production offline. Think of it like your phone freezing: all the apps are still there, but none of them open when you tap. Research calls this autistic burnout when it happens in a longer, chronic cycle—linked to masking (Hull et al., 2017; Raymaker et al., 2020). Masking is the art of “performing normal” so well that non-autistic people think you’re fine. The issue is that it eats through your energy reserves like a car idling in traffic with the A/C on full blast (Mantzalas et al., 2022). Eventually, one hard conversation can tip you from functional to frozen. And here’s where couples therapy meets neuroscience: physiological flooding—the body’s fight/flight/freeze switch—is a known relationship killer (Malik et al., 2019; Gottman Institute, 2024). In other words, for some autistic partners, flooding may tend to show up sooner, last longer, and is more likely to pull the plug on speech entirely. The Danger Loop in Marriage Autistic partner goes non-verbal — brain says “nope.” Non-autistic partner reads it as avoidance — brain says “attack.” Pressure increases — “Just say something.” Shutdown deepens — and now you’ve both lost. Do that a few hundred times and you’ll start conflating a physiological response into a moral failing. That’s the real marriage-killer. The Protocol: Three Phases, Zero Guesswork This is where we get practical. You can’t “love away” a temporary shutdown, but you can stop it from turning into World War III. Before: Build the Net Name the state. Agree on a phrase or signal ( I call this a couple code)—such as “words offline,” “shutdown,” a hand over the heart. The point is to make the invisible visible. The Shutdown Card. A literal card that says: I can’t speak right now. Please lower lights, reduce sound, give me X minutes. I promise I will circle back. The Pause Rule. Require a minimum of 20 minutes before resuming any tough talk. Autistic partner may need 90+. Agree ahead of time. Downgrade Kit. the usual gear; earplugs, soft light, weighted blanket, fidget, a quiet room. You know, human decency in object form. Reduce Daily Load. Avoid heavy talks right after work or big social events. Chronic overload makes a nervous shutdown more probable. During: Do Less, Better Autistic Partner: Give the signal. Exit stimulation. Switch channels if possible (text, notes app, yes/no cards). Send a short pre-written message: “Safe, can’t talk, back at 8:15.” Non-Autistic Partner: Acknowledge once—“Got it, I’m with you.” Hold the pause boundary. Lower stimuli. Go regulate your own nervous system—walk, journal, pet the dog. Don’t rehearse comebacks. Both: Avoid sarcasm, interrogation, ultimatums. Nothing lengthens a shutdown like moral outrage. After: Close the Loop Check in: “Are you ready to talk, or should we start in text?” Debrief: Identify triggers and what helped. Solve the actual problem. No conflict gets left to rot in the corner. Spot burnout early. If shutdowns start clustering, it’s time to reduce demands, not double them. How This Isn’t Stonewalling Stonewalling is a choice. Shutdown is a lockout. Stonewalling says, “I won’t talk to you.” Shutdown says, “I can’t talk to you yet, but I will.” The key difference? Repair intention. A shutdown protocol builds that right into the process. The Ten-Minute At-Home Drill Co-create your signal and card. Agree on a pause window. Pack the downgrade kit. Rehearse the exchange (“Got it, I’m with you.”). Check in weekly to tweak the system. Remember, you’re not aiming for zero shutdowns. You’re aiming for shorter, kinder, safer ones. Why This Works Because it matches lived autistic experience (Raymaker et al., 2020; Lewis et al., 2023). Because it honors nervous system limits instead of punishing them (Malik et al., 2019). Because it lets both partners keep their dignity and still solve the problem. In other words: you’re building a marriage that can survive the occasional moments when the words are gone for the time being. Be Well, Stay Kind, and Godspeed. REFERENCES: Hull, L., Mandy, W., Lai, M.-C., Baron-Cohen, S., Allison, C., Smith, P., & Petrides, K. V. (2017). “Putting on my best normal”: Social camouflaging in adults with autism spectrum conditions. Autism, 21(5), 611–622. https://doi.org/10.1177/1362361316671012 Raymaker, D. M., Teo, A. R., Steckler, N. A., Lentz, B., Scharer, M., Delos Santos, A., … & Nicolaidis, C. (2020). “Having all of your internal resources exhausted beyond measure and being left with no clean-up crew”: Defining autistic burnout. Autism in Adulthood, 2(2), 132–143. https://doi.org/10.1089/aut.2019.0079 Mantzalas, J., Richdale, A. L., Adikari, A., Lowe, J., & Dissanayake, C. (2022). What Is Autistic Burnout? A thematic analysis of posts on two online platforms. Autism in Adulthood, 4(1), 52–65. https://doi.org/10.1089/aut.2021.0079 Lewis, L. F., et al. (2023). The lived experience of meltdowns for autistic adults. Autism, 27(7), 1787–1799. https://doi.org/10.1177/13623613221145783 Malik, J., et al. (2019). Emotional flooding in response to negative affect in romantic relationships. Journal of Couple & Relationship Therapy, 18(4), 327–349. https://doi.org/10.1080/15332691.2019.1641188 Gottman Institute. (2024, March 4). Making sure emotional flooding doesn’t capsize your relationship. Retrieved from https://www.gottman.com/blog/making-sure-emotional-flooding-doesnt-capsize-your-relationship/

Detailed fact-check analysis of: Autistic Non-Verbal Episodes in Marriage: Why Words Vanish Sometimes and What to Do About It Neurodiverse Couples Tuesday, august 12, 2025. Here’s the scene: You’re in the middle of a conversation with your spouse. Maybe the topic is small (“Did you pay the water bill?”) or monumental (“Are we happy?”). And then—without warning—your autistic partner’s voice disappears. No yelling, no slammed doors. Just… gone. You’re left holding the conversational steering wheel while they’ve quietly climbed into the trunk. If you’ve never lived with high-functioning autism, this can be tragically misconstrued as stonewalling or contempt. It isn’t. It’s just neurology pulling the emergency brake. Why This Happens: The Science Without the Lab Coat Smell For autistic adults, losing speech under stress is often a shutdown—a form of nervous system overload that knocks language production offline. Think of it like your phone freezing: all the apps are still there, but none of them open when you tap. Research calls this autistic burnout when it happens in a longer, chronic cycle—linked to masking (Hull et al., 2017; Raymaker et al., 2020). Masking is the art of “performing normal” so well that non-autistic people think you’re fine. The issue is that it eats through your energy reserves like a car idling in traffic with the A/C on full blast (Mantzalas et al., 2022). Eventually, one hard conversation can tip you from functional to frozen. And here’s where couples therapy meets neuroscience: physiological flooding—the body’s fight/flight/freeze switch—is a known relationship killer (Malik et al., 2019; Gottman Institute, 2024). In other words, for some autistic partners, flooding may tend to show up sooner, last longer, and is more likely to pull the plug on speech entirely. The Danger Loop in Marriage Autistic partner goes non-verbal — brain says “nope.” Non-autistic partner reads it as avoidance — brain says “attack.” Pressure increases — “Just say something.” Shutdown deepens — and now you’ve both lost. Do that a few hundred times and you’ll start conflating a physiological response into a moral failing. That’s the real marriage-killer. The Protocol: Three Phases, Zero Guesswork This is where we get practical. You can’t “love away” a temporary shutdown, but you can stop it from turning into World War III. Before: Build the Net Name the state. Agree on a phrase or signal ( I call this a couple code)—such as “words offline,” “shutdown,” a hand over the heart. The point is to make the invisible visible. The Shutdown Card. A literal card that says: I can’t speak right now. Please lower lights, reduce sound, give me X minutes. I promise I will circle back. The Pause Rule. Require a minimum of 20 minutes before resuming any tough talk. Autistic partner may need 90+. Agree ahead of time. Downgrade Kit. the usual gear; earplugs, soft light, weighted blanket, fidget, a quiet room. You know, human decency in object form. Reduce Daily Load. Avoid heavy talks right after work or big social events. Chronic overload makes a nervous shutdown more probable. During: Do Less, Better Autistic Partner: Give the signal. Exit stimulation. Switch channels if possible (text, notes app, yes/no cards). Send a short pre-written message: “Safe, can’t talk, back at 8:15.” Non-Autistic Partner: Acknowledge once—“Got it, I’m with you.” Hold the pause boundary. Lower stimuli. Go regulate your own nervous system—walk, journal, pet the dog. Don’t rehearse comebacks. Both: Avoid sarcasm, interrogation, ultimatums. Nothing lengthens a shutdown like moral outrage. After: Close the Loop Check in: “Are you ready to talk, or should we start in text?” Debrief: Identify triggers and what helped. Solve the actual problem. No conflict gets left to rot in the corner. Spot burnout early. If shutdowns start clustering, it’s time to reduce demands, not double them. How This Isn’t Stonewalling Stonewalling is a choice. Shutdown is a lockout. Stonewalling says, “I won’t talk to you.” Shutdown says, “I can’t talk to you yet, but I will.” The key difference? Repair intention. A shutdown protocol builds that right into the process. The Ten-Minute At-Home Drill Co-create your signal and card. Agree on a pause window. Pack the downgrade kit. Rehearse the exchange (“Got it, I’m with you.”). Check in weekly to tweak the system. Remember, you’re not aiming for zero shutdowns. You’re aiming for shorter, kinder, safer ones. Why This Works Because it matches lived autistic experience (Raymaker et al., 2020; Lewis et al., 2023). Because it honors nervous system limits instead of punishing them (Malik et al., 2019). Because it lets both partners keep their dignity and still solve the problem. In other words: you’re building a marriage that can survive the occasional moments when the words are gone for the time being. Be Well, Stay Kind, and Godspeed. REFERENCES: Hull, L., Mandy, W., Lai, M.-C., Baron-Cohen, S., Allison, C., Smith, P., & Petrides, K. V. (2017). “Putting on my best normal”: Social camouflaging in adults with autism spectrum conditions. Autism, 21(5), 611–622. https://doi.org/10.1177/1362361316671012 Raymaker, D. M., Teo, A. R., Steckler, N. A., Lentz, B., Scharer, M., Delos Santos, A., … & Nicolaidis, C. (2020). “Having all of your internal resources exhausted beyond measure and being left with no clean-up crew”: Defining autistic burnout. Autism in Adulthood, 2(2), 132–143. https://doi.org/10.1089/aut.2019.0079 Mantzalas, J., Richdale, A. L., Adikari, A., Lowe, J., & Dissanayake, C. (2022). What Is Autistic Burnout? A thematic analysis of posts on two online platforms. Autism in Adulthood, 4(1), 52–65. https://doi.org/10.1089/aut.2021.0079 Lewis, L. F., et al. (2023). The lived experience of meltdowns for autistic adults. Autism, 27(7), 1787–1799. https://doi.org/10.1177/13623613221145783 Malik, J., et al. (2019). Emotional flooding in response to negative affect in romantic relationships. Journal of Couple & Relationship Therapy, 18(4), 327–349. https://doi.org/10.1080/15332691.2019.1641188 Gottman Institute. (2024, March 4). Making sure emotional flooding doesn’t capsize your relationship. Retrieved from https://www.gottman.com/blog/making-sure-emotional-flooding-doesnt-capsize-your-relationship/

Aug 12, 2025
Read more →
Fact Check: Donald Trump cares more about the United States image than the people who live there
Partially True
🎯 Similar

Fact Check: Donald Trump cares more about the United States image than the people who live there

Detailed fact-check analysis of: Donald Trump cares more about the United States image than the people who live there

Aug 7, 2025
Read more →
Fact Check: In the United States, approximately 13.6% of police officers are Black. This translates to roughly 12% of local police officers being Black, a figure that has remained consistent since 1997, according to the Bureau of Justice Statistics. Data from 2020 indicates that 16% of officers in large departments serving one million or more people were Black, while nationally, the percentage is closer to 12%, according to The Sentencing
Partially True

Fact Check: In the United States, approximately 13.6% of police officers are Black. This translates to roughly 12% of local police officers being Black, a figure that has remained consistent since 1997, according to the Bureau of Justice Statistics. Data from 2020 indicates that 16% of officers in large departments serving one million or more people were Black, while nationally, the percentage is closer to 12%, according to The Sentencing

Detailed fact-check analysis of: In the United States, approximately 13.6% of police officers are Black. This translates to roughly 12% of local police officers being Black, a figure that has remained consistent since 1997, according to the Bureau of Justice Statistics. Data from 2020 indicates that 16% of officers in large departments serving one million or more people were Black, while nationally, the percentage is closer to 12%, according to The Sentencing

Aug 4, 2025
Read more →
Fact Check: Most Wars are pointless more innocent people die.Settle it peacefully!But, if a person who is causing lots of harm needs to be taken down you almost always have to wage war🤗🤗
Partially True

Fact Check: Most Wars are pointless more innocent people die.Settle it peacefully!But, if a person who is causing lots of harm needs to be taken down you almost always have to wage war🤗🤗

Detailed fact-check analysis of: Most Wars are pointless more innocent people die.Settle it peacefully!But, if a person who is causing lots of harm needs to be taken down you almost always have to wage war🤗🤗

Aug 3, 2025
Read more →
Fact Check: Most Wars are pointless more innocent people die.Settle it peacefully!
Partially True

Fact Check: Most Wars are pointless more innocent people die.Settle it peacefully!

Detailed fact-check analysis of: Most Wars are pointless more innocent people die.Settle it peacefully!

Aug 3, 2025
Read more →
Explore All Fact Checks
Fact Check: "Woke' People More Likely To Be Unhappy, Anxious And Depressed, New Study Suggests | TruthOrFake Blog