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5. The Essential Role of Psychosocial Factors

Although biological factors ultimately determine lifespan, the psychological dimensions of longevity are a unique feature of humans. Several psychological factors, such as cognition, personality, and well-being, have proven to be associated with longevity. The good news is, it could add years to your life if you believe you can live to 100!

Will power!
5.1

Are cognitive training programs or puzzle-solving games beneficial?

Are cognitive training programs or puzzle-solving games beneficial?

Cognitive abilities are highly associated with longevity.

About 2,400 years ago, Hippocrates identified good cognition and good appetite as two prognostic factors for longevity. In 2014, scientists found that cognition and appetite are indeed predictors of death.

However, although cognitive abilities are highly associated with longevity, it is less clear whether these abilities can be modified in such a way as to influence lifespan. Based on the notion of “use it or lose it”, some people assume that cognitively stimulating activities could preserve cognition and even have a neuroprotective role. This theory remains hypothetical, with studies showing that baseline cognitive activity and engagement earlier in life did not predict the rate of decline later in life. In older adults, cognitive performance seems to be more dependent on preserved brain integrity and the amount of neurological damage accumulated over the years.

Training to prevent cognitive decline is still at the early stage of research. Currently, there is little evidence that computer training programs or puzzle-solving can provide sustained cognitive benefits. Based on current evidence, we think that approaches based on integrated health such as balanced nutrition, physical exercise, and social interaction may provide more significant benefits for preventing cognitive decline with aging.

5.2

Personality plays a role in your lifespan

Personality plays a role in your lifespan

The big five personality traits

As part of the five-factor model of personality, which includes extraversion, neuroticism, agreeableness, openness, and conscientiousness as core dimensions, conscientiousness has been repeatedly found to be the most significant factor associated with longevity. Conscientious people tend to be careful, diligent, efficient, and goal oriented. Other personality traits that are linked to longevity are extroversion and trust.

Personalities are largely stable throughout life. However, recent research showed that some personality traits can change through persistent intervention and major life events. Put simply, we can become more mature and stable as we age.

5.3

Subjective aging, well-being, and health

Subjective aging, well-being, and health

If I ask you “To what age do you expect to live?”, many of us will have at least a vague idea, such as “I think I will live to 80”. The self-estimated life expectancy of 80 is your subjective life expectancy. Scientists have found that our subjective aging and life expectancy is actually fairly accurate. Studies showed that we can forecast our life expectancy based on biomedical and genetic predictors such as health diagnoses, parental longevity, health behaviors such as exercise, smoking, and diet, as well as psychosocial factors such as optimism and social connectedness. In addition to subjective aging, other factors associated with lifespan include self-rated well-being and life happiness, as well as self-evaluated health.

Take a good look at our life experience, feel a purpose in life, feel healthy and satisfied will take us a long way into the 100-year birthday.

5.4

Social connectedness

Social connectedness

Social connectedness is a good predictor for longer lifespans

Actual and perceived social isolation are equally associated with increased risk of early mortality. A review of 70 independent studies found that the likelihood of premature death was increased by 26 percent for reported loneliness, by 29 percent for social isolation, and by 32 percent for living alone. The risk associated with social isolation and loneliness is comparable with well-established risk factors such as physical inactivity, obesity, and smoking.

It was also found that the quality of social contact plays a more important role than the frequency of contact. People who are embedded in large and diverse networks with close and emotionally rewarding social relationships benefit the most from social connectedness.

5.5

Psychosocial factors contributing to longevity

Psychosocial factors contributing to longevity

Psychosocial factors such as awareness and alertness, a goal-oriented attitude, optimism, the will to live a longer and healthier life, and having a supportive social network are likely to expand our lifespan directly or indirectly by affecting lifestyle and behavior. Healthy lifestyles and behaviors can also, in turn, help maintain and improve these psychosocial abilities.

Psychosocial factors contributing to longevity

Sources

  • Hertzog C., Kramer A.F., Wilson R.S., Lindenberger U. 2008. Enrichment Effects on Adult Cognitive Development: Can the Functional Capacity of Older Adults Be Preserved and Enhanced? Psychological Science in the Public Interest. 9(1):1-65. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1539-6053.2009.01034.x
  • Pär B., Boo J. 2015. Psychology of Longevity. Encyclopedia of Geropsychology.
    Springer Science+Business Media Singapore. Https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-287-080-3_126-1
  • Damian R.I., Spengler M., Sutu A., and Roberts B. 2018. “Sixteen Going on Sixty-six: A Longitudinal Study of Personality Stability and Change Across 50 Years.” PsyArXiv. August 16. https://doi.org/10.1037/pspp0000210.
  • Holt-Lunstad J, Smith TB, Baker M, Harris T, Stephenson D. 2015. Loneliness and social isolation as risk factors for mortality: a meta-analytic review. Perspect Psychol Sci. 10(2):227-37. https://doi.org/10.1177/1745691614568352