“Mental resilience and the ability to cope with adversity reduce the risk of death in older people.”
Oku.AzAccording to Gazeta.ru, a group of researchers from Sun Yat-sen University in Chongshan, China, came to this conclusion after a large-scale study. The results of the study were published in the scientific journal “BMJ Mental Health.”
The study involved 10,500 people with an average age of 66. The scientists carefully analyzed data on the participants’ financial and family situation and also collected detailed information on their health status. The volunteers then underwent a special assessment of mental stability. Here they were asked to assess to what extent such character traits as stubbornness, calmness, determination, self-confidence and the ability to overcome difficulties on their own are expressed in themselves.
After collecting all the necessary data, the observation period began, which lasted about 12 years. During this period, 3,400 study participants died. Analysis of the data obtained showed that the higher the mental resilience of the participants, the lower the risk of dying from any cause.
The association found between mental resilience and life expectancy remained statistically significant even after controlling for participants’ marital status, sex, race, and weight.
Chinese scientists have especially pointed out that it is the ability to overcome difficulties that has become the most important aspect of mental resilience.
