Republicans have excellent mental health -- in their own minds.

[Buzz Clik]

They also think they're highly intelligent and have high morals.

Republicans Report Much Better Mental Health Than Others

Gallup

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.

The basic data -- based on an aggregated sample of more than 4,000 interviews conducted since 2004 -- are straightforward.



The differences are quite significant, as can be seen. While Democrats are slightly less likely to report excellent mental health than are independents, the big distinctions in these data are the differences between Republicans and everyone else.

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.

<snip>

The table shows that the best correlation crossing political boundaries is income.

A fascinating aspect of this article is the remarkable transformation between self-reported mental health and actual mental health:

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).

I'd be willing to wager that the poorest predicter of mental health is one's own perception of their mental health.

[MrScorpio]

1. If one is happy being a bigoted, money-grubbing, closed minded fool...

I guess that's what makes a well adjusted Republican

[Buzz Clik]

5. Consider Bush's approval ratings:

Roughly 30% nationwide, but 80% among Republicans. Ah, bliss.

[aint_no_life_nowhere]

2. People who think their ancestors rode dinosaurs can talk about mental health?

But at least these guys like Mike Huckabee are personable, witty, and charming psychopaths.

[Buzz Clik]

8. So many images come to mind...

http://www.theage.com.au/ffximage/2006/08/01/svGIBSON_narrowweb__300x401,0.jpg

[moggie]

3. There's still a stigma attached to mental problems

But I suspect that the more liberal you are, the less likely you are to subscribe to the viewpoint that mental illness is something to be ashamed of and covered up.

[Vanje]

4. Well sure.

When a Republican hears voices in his head, he regards it as a miracle. Those voices are Jesus, God, Angels,or any number of various and sundry Old Testament prophets.

When a Democrat hears voices in his head, it worries him a bit.

[Buzz Clik]

6. LOL!

[donheld]

7. as if

:crazy:

[DCKit]

9. I'd be happier living in a fantasy too...

But that's not an option without massive medication. Besides, they're LYING.

Mainstream "conservative" Republics are, at their core, intolerant and hateful. Anyone who thrives on hate and intolerance is NOT a happy person, but deluded. Having several in my family and living in DC for the past 18 years, I am all too familiar with the type - If their lips are moving, they are lying, and it doesn't matter what the subject is, they lie about unimportant issues simply to stay in practice.

[Buzz Clik]

10. You captured the same word that first came to my mind: "deluded"

[sam sarrha]

11. california canceled their schools 'Self Esteem Program' when it was discovered that th people with

highest self esteem resided on death row and in SuperMax Prisons..

ReThugs are also mentally defecient in perceptual functions...

http://librocrat.blogspot.com/2007/10/conservatives-and-liberals-have.html

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=+Conservatives+brains+different&btnG=Search