Study about so-called “troublemakers”Difficult people make us age faster

Almost one in three people have “troublemakers” in their lives

The Study entitled “Negative social ties as new risk factors for accelerated aging, inflammation and multimorbidity” examines the health consequences for people of so-called “troublemakers” – defined by the researchers as those “who cause problems or make life difficult.” These can be family members or friends, neighbors, roommates and especially work colleagues.

Around 30 percent of the study participants stated that they have at least one “troublemaker” in their social environment. And according to the researchers, this has consequences for their aging process: For every “troublemaker” person, this accelerates by 1.5 percent. The Tagesanzeiger calculates it more precisely: per year, those affected age an additional five and a half days, and after ten years they are biologically already two months older than their peers without this stress.

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However, not all people are equally affected by this stress-related aging. The authors of the studies note that certain groups report “troublemakers” more often. For example, typically more people have to deal with harassment than men.

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“Not all social contacts are beneficial”says Byungkyu Lee, assistant professor of sociology at New York University and lead author of the study, in an interview with Washington Post. “These less positive relationships can act as a chronic stressor, so the presence of such people actually makes life very difficult.” This can be measured, among other things, in the aging process.

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What does the study author advise now? Consider relationships carefully, avoid troublemakers if possible, and cut ties that bring negativity and stress into your life – even if it's difficult. “If you have enough pleasant people in your environment, it can have a calming influence on the aging process.”

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Study analyzes questionnaires and DNA samples

For the study, Lee and his colleagues collected data from a total of over 2,000 people from the US state of Indiana. The participants answered an extensive questionnaire and provided saliva samples, which the researchers then analyzed for DNA changes. This allowed them to draw conclusions about biological aging.

However, this study does not prove a final causal connection. “We don't know whether troublemakers are actually causing people to age faster,” Lee noted in the Washington Post. “What we’re seeing here is some kind of connection between troublemakers and the rate of aging.” And that is quite a remarkable finding!

Sources used: study, Washington Post, Daily Gazette