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Telomere Length and Telomerase Activity; A Yin and Yang of Cell Senescence

Telomere Length and Telomerase Activity; A Yin and Yang of Cell Senescence

Published on: May 22, 2013

Subjective wellbeing and longevity: a co-twin control study.

Michael E Sadler¹, Christopher J Miller, Kaare Christensen

¹Department of Psychology, Roosevelt University, United States of America. michael.sadler001@gmail.com

Twin Research and Human Genetics : the Official Journal of the International Society for Twin Studies

|June 1, 2011

Summary

Subjective well-being (SWB) is linked to longer life. This study used twin analyses to confirm that higher SWB predicts increased longevity, independent of shared genes and environment.

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Area of Science:

Gerontology
Psychology
Public Health

Background:

Mental health is increasingly defined by subjective well-being (SWB) alongside the absence of illness.
SWB indicators consistently predict favorable life outcomes, including better health and longevity.
Research is exploring interventions to enhance happiness and well-being.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the association between SWB and longevity.
To determine if this association is causal or due to genetic/environmental confounding using twin pair analyses.

Main Methods:

Utilized data from 3,966 twins aged 70+ from the Longitudinal Study of Aging Danish Twins (LSADT).
Followed participants for a median of 9 years.
Examined SWB (affect, life satisfaction) and all-cause mortality risk using between-individual and within-pair survival analyses.

Main Results:

SWB predicted increased longevity at the individual level.
SWB was associated with increased longevity independent of familial factors (genes and shared environment) in dizygotic and monozygotic twin pair analyses.

Conclusions:

The findings support a causal link between subjective well-being and increased longevity.
SWB may be a significant factor in promoting a longer lifespan, independent of shared familial influences.