Worrying about getting older — particularly fears about future health problems — may actually accelerate ageing at the cellular level, according to new research from New York University.
The study, conducted by researchers at the NYU School of Global Public Health, found that women who reported higher anxiety about ageing showed signs of faster biological ageing in their blood. The findings were published in the journal Psychoneuroendocrinology.
Researchers analysed data from 726 women participating in the Midlife in the United States (MIDUS) study. Participants reported their concerns about becoming less attractive, developing health problems, or being too old to have children.
Blood samples were examined using two established “epigenetic clocks” — scientific tools that measure biological ageing based on chemical changes that regulate gene activity. One clock, DunedinPACE, assessed the pace of biological ageing, while the other, GrimAge2, estimated accumulated biological damage over time.
Women who reported greater anxiety about ageing showed faster epigenetic ageing according to the DunedinPACE measure. Prior research has linked accelerated epigenetic ageing with higher risk of age-related diseases and physical decline.
Importantly, not all fears had the same effect. Concerns about declining health were most strongly associated with faster biological ageing. In contrast, worries about appearance or fertility were not significantly linked to epigenetic ageing.
“Our research suggests that subjective experiences may be driving objective measures of ageing,” said Mariana Rodrigues, PhD student at NYU School of Global Public Health and the study’s first author.
She added that ageing-related anxiety may not be just a psychological concern but could leave measurable biological effects with potential health consequences.
The researchers noted that women may be particularly vulnerable to ageing anxiety due to social expectations surrounding youth and appearance, as well as midlife responsibilities such as caregiving for ageing parents. Witnessing illness in older family members may intensify fears about personal health.
The study also highlights the broader connection between mental and physical health. “Our research identifies ageing anxiety as a measurable and potentially modifiable psychological factor shaping ageing biology,” said Adolfo Cuevas, associate professor of social and behavioural sciences at NYU and senior author of the study.
However, the researchers cautioned that the study captures only a single point in time and cannot establish cause and effect. Other factors may also play a role. When adjustments were made for health behaviours linked to anxiety — such as smoking and alcohol consumption — the association between ageing anxiety and epigenetic ageing weakened and was no longer statistically significant.
Further research is needed to better understand the long-term biological impact of ageing anxiety and how best to support individuals experiencing these fears.
“Ageing is a universal experience,” Rodrigues said. “We need a broader societal conversation about how norms, structural factors and interpersonal relationships shape the way we experience ageing.” (ANI)
