from Psychological Science
Do you have a sense of purpose or sense of
direction to your life? No matter your age, the
feeling that you have a sense of purpose may
help you live longer. Researchers at the
University of Rochester Medical Center reviewed
data from more than six thousand people—
specifically what they said about their sense of
purpose. Greater purpose in life consistently
predicted lower risk of death and not just
among older, retired people. During fourteen
years of follow-up, about nine percent of the
participants had died. They tended to have
reported a lower purpose and fewer positive
relations than survivors. Longevity benefits were
consistent even after such things as positive
relations and positive outlook were taken into
account. Lead researcher, Patrick Hill, says
there is something unique about finding a
purpose that seems to lead to greater longevity.
The study appears in Psychological Science.