A recent study suggests that individuals with greater mental resilience may enjoy significantly longer lives, with the effect being notably pronounced in women. The research, published in BMJ Mental Health, was conducted by a team from Sun Yat-sen University in China and examines the association between mental resilience and mortality risk.
The study analyzed data from the Health and Retirement Study (HRS), a long-term, nationally representative survey of U.S. adults aged 50 and older. Initiated in 1992, the HRS collects data on various aspects of participants’ lives, including economic status, health, and family dynamics.
The researchers focused on data from 10,569 HRS participants, collected between 2006 and 2008, when questions on mental resilience were first introduced. The average age of this group was 66, with 59% being women. Participants were tracked until May 2021 or until their deaths occurred, resulting in 3,489 deaths over the 12-year period.
The findings revealed a correlation between higher levels of mental resilience and a reduced risk of death from all causes. Notably, women showed a stronger link between high resilience scores and lower mortality risk compared to men. The study also categorized resilience scores into quartiles and found that individuals in the highest quartile were 53% less likely to die within the next decade compared to those in the lowest quartile.
However, the study’s authors caution against inferring causation from these findings. They acknowledge that the research was observational and did not account for variables such as genetic factors or childhood adversity, which could influence the outcomes.
Mental resilience was assessed using a scale that measures qualities like perseverance, calmness, a sense of purpose, self-reliance, and the ability to face challenges independently. The researchers noted that factors such as life meaning, positive emotions, self-rated health, and satisfaction with social support might also impact psychological resilience.
“Our findings highlight the potential benefits of interventions designed to enhance psychological resilience,” the researchers said. “Such interventions could help mitigate mortality risks by fostering positive emotions and reducing the impact of accumulated adversity.”
Caroline Abrahams, Director of Charity Age UK, commented on the study’s implications. “While the authors are cautious about drawing causal conclusions, it’s significant that many studies support the idea that factors such as staying connected, maintaining a sense of purpose, and engaging in enjoyable activities can contribute to a longer and more fulfilling life,” Abrahams said.
Age UK advocates for maintaining emotional well-being in older age through healthy eating, daily engagement in new activities or hobbies, and spending time with loved ones. They emphasize that even small adjustments can improve overall happiness and health as one ages.
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