Brain Wars: Supporting Mental Health in Times of Social Change
How to find mental peace when your deepest beliefs are publicly condemned.
Posted January 23, 2025 | Reviewed by Michelle Quirk
In 1964, Bob Dylan's song "The Times They Are A-Changin'" captured the nation's social upheaval, lamenting a country in strife due to the Vietnam War and the rising counterculture movement. The song became an anthem for those seeking profound social change. Now, more than 60 years later, many of us are confronted with a similar dilemma as a new nationalist culture is emerging. For many, the new movement challenges established norms and triggers anxiety in the face of the uncertainty that often happens when values are threatened by rapid cultural transformation. These feelings are real and painful for many but can be mediated with a greater understanding of how your brain works combined with using a few supportive strategies.
When cherished personal beliefs collide with shifting social values, many people experience a profound sense of psychological turbulence. They report feeling isolated, misunderstood, and even villainized for holding views that were once widely accepted but are now publicly condemned. This experience triggers similar feelings to what we feel when being socially rejected (think getting dumped), activating the same neural pathways as physical pain (Eisenberger & Lieberman, 2004). The resulting emotional brew often includes feelings of anxiety, anger , defensiveness, and a deep sense of alienation—that feels very much like a broken heart.
What is happening in the brain can be best described as “ cognitive conflict ,” the mental tension that results when your brain triggers a bodily stress response. During these situations, brain imaging results (fMRI) show increased activity in the regions associated with emotional regulation and decision-making (Botvinick et al., 2004). In contrast, logical responses generate greater activation in the prefrontal cortex, the logic and reasoning headquarters of your brain. Individuals who respond logically to the perceived stress show better psychological outcomes than those who either reject change entirely or become trapped in cycles of rumination (Nilawati et al., 2024).
The power of cognitive reappraisal
The primary method to dispel angst is by demonstrating psychological flexibility. This approach requires the ability to accept psychological discomfort, while simultaneously pursuing valued goals . When taking demonstrative steps supported by neuroscience , mental health outcomes can be achieved despite periods of rapid social change (Chong et al., 2021). One effective approach for managing belief-related stress is cognitive reappraisal , which involves consciously examining and reframing our interpretations of challenging situations. Instead of viewing societal changes as having negative personal implications, individuals can learn to see opposing beliefs as opportunities for a deeper understanding of those who think differently. Research indicates that people trained in cognitive reappraisal techniques demonstrate lower levels of emotional reactivity and better stress management (Troy et al., 2018). This approach doesn't require abandoning one's values but instead encourages viewing beliefs as part of a spectrum of evaluative judgments.
The prime focus of cognitive reappraisal is on changing one’s emotional states and not the suitability of the beliefs one does or does not hold. Some ways that reappraisal works in practice is by reframing thoughts in a more positive light or by imagining what advice you might give to others that will help them feel better about the situation. Words such as “This happens every four years and is part of our democratic system” or “This is an opportunity to find common ground” can go a long way toward reconciliation. Additionally, think about potential positive long-term outcomes, as every opportunity has both drawbacks and advantages. From a very personal perspective, individuals should look for good things that could be learned from the negative experience to promote a better future and avoid similar mistakes as time unfolds.
Developing the ability to see multiple perspectives simultaneously can also help navigate the belief chasm. Acceptance can be cultivated through deliberate exposure to diverse viewpoints while maintaining personal boundaries . This approach is not about adopting a new perspective but understanding alternative beliefs well enough to engage thoughtfully with others rather than reactively. Instead of attempting to alter emotional experiences, acceptance involves consciously engaging with one's feelings in a nonjudgmental and open way. The strategy encourages individuals to fully experience their emotions—including negative ones—while maintaining an attitude of awareness toward these feelings. This means acknowledging that discomfort and negative emotions are a normal part of life and allowing these feelings to exist without trying to suppress, control, or evaluate them negatively.
Again, neurological research shows that exposure to varied perspectives strengthens neural pathways associated with flexible thinking, enhancing your ability to process conflicting information without experiencing excessive emotional distress (Lamm et al., 2007). This can be as simple as engaging in respectful discussions with people who hold different views or exploring new cultural experiences that broaden your perspective while keeping your core values intact. While acceptance may not immediately decrease negative emotions (and may even temporarily increase them), the approach is less cognitively demanding than rumination and may be particularly effective at reducing physiological reactivity to external events.
The conclusion is ultimately hopeful: Research consistently shows that humans have a remarkable capacity for psychological adaptation while maintaining their core identity (Kim, 2017). You can thrive in times of social change without compromising your fundamental beliefs by developing stronger psychological flexibility, emotional regulation skills, and acceptance of change. The key lies not in winning ideological battles but in rising above them to focus on personal growth and meaningful living. How you respond is a choice, and that choice can either result in aggravation, anxiety, and malcontent or the same energy can be rechanneled to reduce the subjective reaction causing the stress. These approaches can cultivate psychological health as well as temper a reduced physiological response. By viewing belief conflicts as opportunities, we can maintain mental peace while navigating an ever-changing social landscape.
Botvinick, M. M., Cohen, J. D., & Carter, C. S. (2004). Conflict monitoring and anterior cingulate cortex: An update. Trends in Cognitive Sciences , 8 (12), 539–546.
Chong, Y. Y., Chien, W. T., Cheng, H. Y., Kassianos, A. P., Gloster, A. T., & Karekla, M. (2021). Can psychological flexibility and prosociality mitigate illness perceptions toward COVID-19 on mental health? A cross-sectional study among Hong Kong adults. Globalization and Health , 17 , 1–13.
Eisenberger, N. I., & Lieberman, M. D. (2004). Why rejection hurts: A common neural alarm system for physical and social pain. Trends in Cognitive Sciences , 8 (7), 294–300.
Kim, Y. Y. (2017). Cross-cultural adaptation. Oxford Research Encyclopedia. Oxford University Press.
Lamm, C., Batson, C. D., & Decety, J. (2007). The neural substrate of human empathy: effects of perspective-taking and cognitive appraisal. Journal of Cognitive Neuroscience , 19 (1), 42–58.
Nilawati, S., Amri, S., Hasanah, N., Saodah, S., Juliati, J., & Sapnita, S. (2024). Unraveling emotional regulation through multimodal neuroimaging techniques. BrainBridge: Neuroscience and Biomedical Engineering , 1 (1), 1–26.
Troy, A. S., Shallcross, A. J., Brunner, A., Friedman, R., & Jones, M. C. (2018). Cognitive reappraisal and acceptance: Effects on emotion, physiology, and perceived cognitive costs. Emotion , 18 (1), 58–74.
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Bobby Hoffman , Ph.D. , is an associate professor at the University of Central Florida.
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This article is part of the Bringwise Psychology Journal — daily insights on human behavior, mental health, and personal growth.