Understanding the Emotional Landscape of Latinx Americans
Many Latinx Americans feel anxiety about their personal economic well-being, and want to see change for a better future in 2022.
Research Goals & Design
Voto Latino recently commissioned new insights designed to understand the emotional landscape of Latinx Americans, along with their top issues and priorities.
This research was fielded in both English and Spanish to a nationally representative sample of 5,585 Americans (including 2,308 Latinx Americans), from January 15-18, 2022
Methodology
An Avalanche Listening Survey combines open and closed-ended questions. Open-ended questions provide rich data sets that allow us to analyze beliefs, values, and emotions related to an issue. Closed-ended questions provide clarity and comparability with existing research. We work with industry leading data collection partners to gather targeted samples of respondents.
Voto Latino held a conference where they briefed the press on recent poll findings related to Latino voters and potential impacts to the midterms.
“2022 represents a challenging moment for our country, but as the poll numbers you’ll be hearing make clear, it’s also a moment of profound opportunity.
And like so many of us, Latinos have concerns about the state of the country. After 2 years of a pandemic, of COVID, the worries about the disease are intertwined with broader economic and kitchen table issues faced by our community.
As you know, Latinos are actively looking [to make sure elected officials] are taking action that will make a real difference in their lives.
This is the context in which we know Latinos are going to make all the difference and what they’re going to be listening for next Tuesday when President Biden addresses the country. It’s also the context in which they’ll be thinking about the midterm elections later this year.”
Maria Teresa Kumar, President and CEO
Voto Latino
Sadness & anxiety dominate across segments
When asked to describe in their own words how they have felt recently, the majority of Latinx Americans report feeling negative emotions lead by sadness and anxiety.
(In the past two weeks, what emotion have you felt most often? - Open ended)
Anxiety is driven by concerns about personal financial insecurity
When asked to describe, in their own words, their biggest worry, Latinx Americans report personal economic well being, followed by COVID. Those who say COVID is their biggest worry are likely to cite its economic impact.
(When thinking about you and your family’s life for the past month, what has been your biggest worry?- Open ended)
Financial insecurity & rising costs
“My biggest worry is making ends meet.”
-Latinx, Male, 30-39, Non-college
“Money. We have been living off just 1 income and I started a new job last week so it is a lot of pressure.”
-Latinx, Female, 30-39, College
“Finding a job and being a good mom.”
-Latinx, Female, 18-29, Non-college
COVID & the rise of a new variant
“All of the new covid cases and variants that have been appearing.”
-Latinx, Female, 18-29, Non-college
“Dealing with my grandfather's passing, someone getting covid and also passing.”
-Latinx, Female, 18-29, College
“I have covid and am scared to give it to my family.”
-Latinx, Male, 50-64, Non-college
Financial assistance & return to normalcy
“Better policy on student loans and grants so I can complete my education”
-Latinx, Male, 30-39, College
“To quit giving money to all these people so employers can get back to normal on keeping stores full.”
-Latinx, Male, 65+, Non-college
“Try to lower taxes/ out of pocket costs for gas and groceries.”
-Latinx, Female, 50-64, College
Many say recent federal policies have had little impact on their daily lives
Though younger, urban, college, and recent immigrant Latinx Americans are more likely to say federal policies passed in the last year have made their lives better, more than a third say their lives have remained the same.
(I believe policies passed by the federal government in the last year have made my life: (Close-ended))
Looking ahead to 2022, change for a better future is the biggest motivation for voting
Older, men, first/second generation, and college Latinx Americans are more likely to say they are going to vote in 2022
How likely are you to vote in the 2022 midterm elections?
Change for a better future, rather than explicit partisanship, motivates many ahead of 2022
(What, specifically, is your biggest motivation for voting in the 2022 midterm elections?)
Key Takeaways
1
A majority of Latinx Americans, across age, gender, urbanism, and generation, report feeling negative emotions over the past two weeks, led by anxiety and sadness
2
Financial insecurity leads as the top stressor among Latinx Americans, especially those under the age of 40
Though this survey was fielded at the height of the Omicron variant, for many, COVID concerns were cited in the context of their economic impacts
3
Though younger, urban, and recent immigrant Latinx Americans are more likely to say federal policies passed in the last year have made their lives better, more than a third of Latinx Americans say their lives have not been impacted, and want to see change for a better future in 2022
We give you the power to truly understand people at scale
Want to see more?