In the US, divisions due to political beliefs are growing
2026-05-19 12:20:33
TiranaPost
Political divisiveness in the US isn't just limited to the ballot box, it's also affecting personal relationships. According to a recent study from the University of California, Irvine, published in PNAS Nexus, 37% of Americans have lost a friend, partner or family member due to opposing political beliefs.
The data also highlights a stark difference between parties: 47% of Democrats report experiencing “political separation,” compared to 29% of Republicans. According to the researchers, Democrats are more likely to be the ones to end relationships.
Experts warn that this situation is creating “ideological bubbles,” where people are surrounded only by those who think the same way as them. Lead researcher Mertcan Güngör points out that cutting off contact with people who have different opinions makes it harder to see them as ordinary people, increasing hostility and polarization in society.
At a time when loneliness is increasingly considered a social problem, researchers warn that these "political divisions" could have serious consequences for mental health and the stability of democracy.
