American Psychological Association Study Blames Rising Political Violence On ‘Burn Out’

Researchers claim workplace exhaustion drives people toward violent extremism, according to a new study published in the American Psychological Association’s (APA) Psychology of Violence journal.

The study tracked over 600 employees through daily surveys, asking them to document burnout symptoms alongside their attitudes toward political violence, according to researcher Alexios Arvanitis in The Conversation. Researchers found that some workers experiencing burnout showed increased sympathy for extremist ideologies on those same days.

The authors tied their findings to Luigi Mangione, who was arrested for allegedly murdering UnitedHealthcare’s CEO in December 2024. Arvanitis pointed to polls showing 41% of young adults viewed the killing as acceptable.

“The daily grind of burnout produced negative feelings of fear, sadness, shame, and guilt,” he wrote. “To alleviate these negative feelings – and regain a sense of purpose – some individuals appeared to find extremist ideologies more appealing.” (RELATED: ‘Fantastic News’: Youths Rally For Luigi Mangione In Wake of Charlie Kirk Assassination)

What psychological factors lead ordinary people to justify extreme violence? A recent study tracking over 600 employees suggests an answer lies in workplace burnout. The research shows that on days employees felt more burnt out, their sympathy for… https://t.co/ql92SKy2P4

— PsyPost.org (@PsyPost) September 15, 2025

The study cited three psychological theories to explain the phenomenon: General Strain Theory, the existential model of burnout and Significance Quest Theory. Together, these frameworks suggest burned-out employees seek meaning through radical beliefs when work fails to provide purpose, according to Arvanitis.

Approximately three in four employees experience burnout, according to the researcher, who warned this creates “a breeding ground for ideological radicalisation.”

Companies that provided organizational support saw fewer employees gravitate toward extremist thinking, but the article cautioned this protection only worked before emotional damage occurred.

While Arvanitis admitted burnout doesn’t “inevitably” lead to violence, he argued widespread tolerance of extremist attitudes threatens democratic values.