In recent years, Americans have found themselves increasingly divided—not just politically, but socially, culturally, and even within families and friend groups. At NY Mental Health Center (NYMHC), we’re seeing the emotional consequences of this shift show up regularly in therapy rooms: heightened anxiety, social withdrawal, strained relationships, and chronic emotional exhaustion.
What we are witnessing is the psychological toll of modern tribalism—a phenomenon rooted in human psychology but amplified by media, technology, and social structures. And while disagreement itself is not harmful, the intensity and rigidity of current social divisions can have a real impact on mental well-being.
What Is Tribalism?
“Tribalism” refers to the tendency of people to align strongly with a particular group identity, often in opposition to others. While this instinct once helped early humans survive, today it can lead to rigid in-group/out-group thinking, moral absolutism, and an erosion of empathy for those who think differently.
Tribalism can be seen in many forms: political partisanship, cultural identity, ideology, or even fandom. When taken to extremes, it narrows people’s worldviews and inflames conflict. At NYMHC, we’re less concerned with what side someone is on—and more concerned with how it affects their sense of safety, belonging, and emotional regulation.
The Data: Americans Are Feeling the Strain
A 2020 study published in American Psychologist found that political polarization has increased sharply in the United States over the past two decades, contributing to increased stress, reduced trust in others, and declining community cohesion (Finkel et al., 2020). These shifts have real psychological effects, even for those who are not deeply engaged in political life.
Another study in Journal of Social and Political Psychology found that people who strongly identify with political parties were more likely to experience negative emotional reactions (anger, anxiety, and fear) when exposed to opposing viewpoints—responses linked to long-term stress and cognitive distortions (Van Bavel & Pereira, 2018).
We see these patterns reflected in our clinical work:
- Clients who feel they must hide their views from friends or family
- Family estrangement over ideological differences
- Social media anxiety driven by fear of being misunderstood or attacked
- A loss of trust in institutions, peers, or communities
- Emotional burnout from relentless outrage cycles
A Fractured Social World = A Fractured Internal World
Tribalism doesn’t just divide people—it can also fragment the self. When people feel pressured to conform to group norms or suppress personal beliefs, they often experience internal conflict, shame, or identity confusion.
This can manifest as:
- Heightened anxiety in social interactions
- Difficulty expressing emotions or vulnerability
- Rumination and obsessive thinking
- Increased reliance on black-and-white or all-or-nothing thinking
At NYMHC, we help clients navigate these dynamics with care. Our focus is not on changing what people believe, but on helping them become more emotionally flexible, self-aware, and grounded—even in a divided world.
What Helps: A Mental Health Approach to Reconnection
In an age of fragmentation, therapy can be a powerful tool for fostering inner and interpersonal coherence. Some of the approaches we use include:
- Cognitive restructuring to challenge polarized thinking
- Mindfulness training to reduce emotional reactivity
- Communication skills building to repair strained relationships
- Values clarification to support personal integrity without rigidity
- Psychoeducation around media consumption, emotional regulation, and group dynamics
We also encourage clients to cultivate compassion—for themselves and for others. In a tribalized culture, empathy is not weakness. It is a survival skill.
Final Thought
Tribalism is a deeply human instinct. But when it overshadows our ability to listen, reflect, and connect, it becomes a threat to mental health.
At the New York Mental Health Center, we believe that healing from the emotional toll of division doesn’t come from choosing a side—it comes from choosing self-awareness, relational repair, and psychological resilience.
We are here to help individuals navigate these uncertain times with clarity, calm, and compassion.
References
Finkel, E. J., Bail, C. A., Cikara, M., Ditto, P. H., Iyengar, S., Klar, S., … & Druckman, J. N. (2020). Political sectarianism in America. American Psychologist, 75(6), 943–956. https://doi.org/10.1037/amp0000728
Van Bavel, J. J., & Pereira, A. (2018). The partisan brain: An identity-based model of political belief. Trends in Cognitive Sciences, 22(3), 213–224. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tics.2018.01.004