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Mental health is associated with longevity and resilience to stress in aging
Last reviewed: 02.07.2025
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Mental well-being plays an important role in healthy ageing, regardless of socioeconomic status, according to a study published in the journal Nature Human Behaviour. The findings highlight the importance of mental health for longevity and resilience in older age.
The relationship between mental well-being and physical health has long been the subject of intense study and debate. Previous observational studies have linked positive mental health to improved aging, including reduced risk of disease and increased lifespan.
However, determining whether this relationship is causal has been difficult due to many possible confounding factors, such as personal socioeconomic status, and issues with reverse causality.
Tian-Ge Wang and his team analyzed available genetic data from people of European descent to study the impact of mental well-being on various aspects of aging. In
Tian-Ge Wang and colleagues analyzed genetic data from people of European descent to find out how mental well-being affects different aspects of aging. The study, which included up to 2.3 million people, found that people with high levels of mental well-being tend to age healthier, demonstrating greater resilience, higher self-rated health, and longer lifespans.
An analysis of eight data sets involving between 800,000 and 2.3 million people found that income, education and occupation were all associated with better mental well-being, with higher income being the most significant factor.
Also, after analyzing 106 potential mediators, the researchers found that reducing sedentary behavior (such as watching less TV) and smoking, and increasing cheese and fruit consumption, may contribute to better mental health and healthier aging.
The study findings highlight the need to integrate mental health support into public health programs and ageing research. The authors suggest that interventions aimed at improving mental well-being may be an effective strategy for improving the quality of ageing in the population.
However, because the study was based on data from people of European descent, further research is needed to confirm these findings among more diverse ethnic groups.