New study shows that sense of purpose may help one live longer, no matter how old or young.
Researchers have clear implications to promote positive adult development and aging. The team of psychologists from Carleton University, Canada looked at the purpose of life of over 6,000 subjects through a 14-year study period. Other psychosocial variables that measure the participants' positive relationships with others and their negative and positive emotions were also studied.
The psychologists found those who said they have a life purpose were more likely to still be alive after 14 years than those who did not have a goal in life. The adults who were about to retire appeared to live longer if their days were filled with activities rather than contemplating that they have nothing to do after work.
The team used data from the MIDUS (Midlife in the United States) research which is a survey that represents how Americans all over the country age. After 14 years, 569 participants (around 9 percent of the study group) who had a lower or less positive purpose in life than the survivors passed away.
"Our findings point to the fact that finding a direction for life, and setting overarching goals for what you want to achieve can help you actually live longer, regardless of when you find your purpose," lead researcher Patrick Hill said. "So the earlier someone comes to a direction for life, the earlier these protective effects may be able to occur."
There are many reasons to conclude that having a purpose in life may help protect the lives of older people more than the younger ones. The older adults might benefit from a sense of direction after they retire from work and lose the source of organizing their everyday schedule. Older people are also more likely to confront mortality than younger people.
While previous studies showed that a life purpose lowers risks of mortality, this new study analyzes how a life purpose can benefit a person over time. In general, a life purpose poses lower mortality risks across a lifespan and shows the same benefit for older, middle-aged and younger people throughout the follow-up period.
