14 DAY TRIAL // While many experts have focused on finding out why some people live longer than others on physiological aspects, a new study indicates that personality traits may also play an important role in determining who gets to be over 100, and who doesn't.
Centenarians are very interesting to study, since a wide array of factors contributes to them reaching such old ages. A number of genetic variations are very important, as well as their behavior and attitude towards the world, and life in general.
In past studies, for example, scientists focused their work on figuring out how high levels of good cholesterol (HDL) influence a person's longevity. But the downside to this approach is that it tends not to take into account the psychological aspects of reaching a very old age.
This was the focus of a study recently conducted by Yeshiva University experts at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine and the Ferkauf Graduate School of psychology. Being outgoing, optimistic, easygoing, and enjoying laughter were found to be very important for aging well.
The group also learned that seniors who are engaged in various activities also tend to survive for longer periods of time than those who remain inactive, Science Daily reports. Details of the new research were published in the May 21 online issue of the esteemed journal Aging.
Data collected by AECM researchers during the Longevity Genes Project was of great use to the scientists. The study included some 500 individuals beyond the age of 95, as well as 700 of their children, both males and females. The work was carried out on Ashkenazi (Eastern European) Jews.
The reason this particular population was selected is that its members are genetically homogenous, meaning that scientists can identify any potential genetic variations within the group very easily.
“When I started working with centenarians, I thought we'd find that they survived so long in part because they were mean and ornery. But when we assessed the personalities of these 243 centenarians, we found qualities that clearly reflect a positive attitude towards life,” says Nir Barzilai, MD.
“Most were outgoing, optimistic and easygoing. They considered laughter an important part of life and had a large social network. They expressed emotions openly rather than bottling them up,” he adds.
Barzilai holds an appointment as the Ingeborg and Ira Leon Rennert Chair of Aging Research and the director of AECM Institute for Aging Research. He was also a co-corresponding author of the new study.