Key points from article :
A recent study published in BMJ Mental Health suggests that individuals with higher mental resilience may live longer, with this link being particularly strong in women. The research, conducted by a team from Sun Yat-sen University in China, analysed data from over 10,000 participants in the Health and Retirement Study, a long-term survey of adults in the U.S. aged 50 and above. Participants who scored higher on mental resilience were found to have a significantly lower risk of death from any cause over a 12-year period.
Mental resilience was assessed based on qualities like perseverance, calmness, and a sense of purpose. The study revealed that women with higher resilience scores had a particularly lower risk of death, with those in the top resilience quartile being 53% less likely to die within the next 10 years compared to those in the lowest quartile. Despite these findings, the researchers cautioned that the study is observational, meaning it cannot definitively prove that mental resilience causes longer life, as other factors like genetics and early life experiences were not accounted for.
Experts, including those from Age UK, emphasized the importance of staying mentally resilient as we age. Activities such as staying socially connected, finding purpose, and engaging in enjoyable hobbies are highlighted as ways to boost emotional well-being and potentially improve longevity. While the study stops short of confirming a direct causal link, it reinforces the idea that nurturing mental resilience can be beneficial to overall health and well-being in later life.
