I recently read an article about a personality study which was used to predict how a long a person’s life would be. The findings of the study were published in the Hudson Street Press, and it was called, “The Longevity Project: Surprising Discoveries for Health and Long Life from the Landmark Eight-Decade Study”.
In 1921, over 1500 students, about the age of 10, began the study, and information was gathered by a Stanford University psychologist named Louis Terman. The study followed the children throughout their lives, gathering data on their family, social relationships, hobbies, pets, job, education level, and many other details. This most recent study was led by Howard S. Friedman (a psychology professor), and Leslie R. Martin, an alumna from the University of California. Subsequently known as The Longevity Project, this study discovered that a person’s risk of dying could be predicted from a personality characteristics and relationships that were formed in their childhood. Before this study, many factors were assumed to be at fault for a person’s risk of dying, such as anxiety, lack of exercise, lack of religion, lack of social well-being, pessimism, and Type A behavioral traits. These factors were, for the first time, able to be studied long-term. The study consistently became more and more complex, as it went on decades longer than expected, and gathered in hundreds of graduates and undergraduates who helped to gain information on The Longevity Project participants. One of the most surprising results that was found, was that the participants who were the most optimistic, joyful, and upbeat, lived shorter lives than those who were not; in other words, the most cautious and determined individuals were those who were alive and healthy for the longest time. It was suspected that maybe this discovery was due to the fact that happy-go-lucky children tended to take more risks in regards to their health, and were more careless. Though it is difficult for many to accept, it was found that happiness is not a main cause of good health.
The study showed, interestingly, that marriage is good for men’s health, but has little to no effect on women’s health; men who were in a stable marriage lived years beyond 70, whereas men who experienced divorce or never married rarely lived past 70. Another misconception disproved by this study was that working and stressing too much worsened health; it was instead found that committed and career-oriented men and women lived much longer than laid-back men and women. As well, it was shown that people who feel respected and loved do not live longer than those who do not; however, it is obvious that there are health benefits to having positive social relationships.
I found this study very interesting because, often, so many people are misinformed by others who accept ideas that are told to them. This study showed some of the major misconceptions that are generally accepted by society in regards to health and long life. I think it is important to realize that it is never too late to decide to pursue a healthier path, and that this can only be done when less time is spent worrying about worrying, and more time is spent acting. I think that once people learn about the long term healthy and unhealthy lifestyles that they follow, they will be better able to maximize the healthy lifestyle patterns. I think small changes to a person’s lifestyle can eventually lead them onto a path to health and long life.
If anyone would like to read more about this incredible study, here is the link: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/03/110311153541.htm.
Thank you.
No comments:
Post a Comment