From Brexit to Biden: What responses to national outcomes tell us about the nature of relief

Recent claims contrast relief experienced because a period of unpleasant uncertainty has ended and an outcome has materialized (temporal relief) – regardless of whether it is one’s preferred outcome – with relief experienced because a particular outcome has occurred, when the alternative was unpalatable (counterfactual relief). Two studies (N = 993), one run the day after the UK left the European Union, and one the day after Joe Biden’s inauguration, confirmed these claims. ‘Leavers’ and Biden voters experienced high levels of relief, and less regret and disappointment than ‘Remainers’ and Trump voters. ‘Remainers’ and Trump voters showed an effect of precursor, experiencing little relief about the outcome that had occurred, but stronger relief that a decision had been implemented. Only Trump voters who believed the election over showed this precursor effect. Results suggest at least two different triggering conditions for relief and indicate a role for anticipated relief in voting behaviour.