Anxiety About Aging Linked to Faster Biological Aging in Women

New research suggests a concerning link between anxiety about aging and the pace of biological aging, particularly among women. A study conducted by researchers at New York University’s School of Global Public Health indicates that worries about declining health may actually contribute to accelerated aging at a cellular level.

The Connection Between Mind and Body

“Our research suggests that subjective experiences may be driving objective measures of aging,” explains Mariana Rodrigues, a PhD student and the study’s first author, published in the journal Psychoneuroendocrinology. The findings highlight that aging-related anxiety isn’t simply a psychological concern, but may have tangible effects on physical health.

Many individuals experience stress related to aging, including concerns about physical decline, illness, and loss of independence. Previous research has established a connection between psychological distress and biological aging through epigenetic changes – alterations in how genes are expressed. This study sought to specifically examine whether worrying about aging itself correlated with the aging process.

Why Women May Be Particularly Affected

Women may be especially susceptible to aging anxiety due to cultural pressures surrounding youth and beauty, as well as concerns about declining fertility. “Women in midlife may also be multiple in roles, including caring for their aging parents,” notes Rodrigues. Observing the health challenges faced by older family members can understandably fuel anxieties about their own future health.

How the Study Was Conducted

Researchers analysed data from the MIDUS study, gathering information on women’s anxieties about becoming less attractive, experiencing health problems, and losing the ability to have children. Blood samples were also collected to measure aging using two “epigenetic clocks”: DunedinPACE, which tracks the pace of biological aging, and GrimAge2, which estimates cumulative biological damage.

The study revealed that greater anxiety about growing old was associated with accelerated epigenetic aging, as measured by the DunedinPACE clock. These biological changes could potentially contribute to physical decline and increased vulnerability to age-related diseases. However, anxiety about declining attractiveness or fertility did not show a significant association with epigenetic aging.

The Role of Health Concerns

Worrying about declining health demonstrated the strongest link to epigenetic aging. Researchers suggest this may be because health-related concerns are more prevalent and enduring than anxieties about appearance or reproductive capabilities.

Adolfo Cuevas, associate professor at NYU School of Global Public Health and the study’s senior author, emphasizes that the research “identifies aging anxiety as a measurable and modifiable psychological determinant that seems to be shaping aging biology.”

The researchers acknowledge that the study, being a snapshot in time, cannot definitively establish causation. They also note that unhealthy coping mechanisms for anxiety, such as smoking or excessive alcohol consumption, could contribute to the observed link. When these factors were accounted for, the association between aging anxiety and epigenetic aging diminished.

Further research is needed to understand the long-term effects of aging anxiety and to develop effective strategies for supporting individuals experiencing these concerns.

Frequently Asked Questions

What did the study measure to assess aging?

The study used two “epigenetic clocks”—DunedinPACE and GrimAge2—to measure aging based on blood samples. DunedinPACE captures the pace of biological aging, while GrimAge2 estimates cumulative biological damage.

Did all types of aging anxiety have the same effect?

No, worrying about declining health had the strongest association with accelerated epigenetic aging. Anxiety about declining attractiveness and fertility were not significantly associated with epigenetic aging.

Could lifestyle factors explain the link between anxiety and aging?

Yes, the researchers noted that unhealthy behaviors often used to cope with anxiety, like smoking and alcohol use, may help explain the link between aging anxiety and accelerated aging. When these behaviors were accounted for, the association decreased.

As Rodrigues concludes, “Aging is a universal experience. We need to start a discourse about how we as a society—through our norms, structural factors, and interpersonal relationships—address the challenges of aging.”