A study funded by the U.S. National Institute on Aging concludes that interacting with problematic people accelerates biological aging. Each additional such person increases biological age by about nine months and speeds up the aging rate by 1.5%.
The study surveyed more than 2,000 people on the prevalence of problematic people in their lives. It then measured their biological age and aging rate using DNA patterns in saliva samples. Findings show that interacting with individuals who cause problems or complications is associated with faster biological aging. Each additional “molestia” in a person's life adds approximately nine months to their biological age. Those with more problematic people aged faster; for each additional one, their aging rate accelerated by 1.5% and increased their biological age by nine months. Biological age measures the organism's real aging, unlike chronological age, which counts time since birth. It has long been known that positive relationships prevent cognitive decline and delay biological aging. Researchers emphasize the importance of minimizing exposure to people who generate high stress and conflicts.
