Anxiety About Aging Linked to Faster Biological Aging in Women

Anxiety About Aging May Accelerate Biological Aging in Women

For many women, the prospect of aging brings with it anxieties about declining health, physical appearance, and loss of independence. New research suggests these worries aren’t simply psychological—they may actually contribute to accelerated biological aging on a cellular level.

A study published in Psychoneuroendocrinology, conducted by researchers at New York University’s School of Global Public Health, found a correlation between anxiety about aging and measurable changes in epigenetic markers associated with the aging process in women. “Our research suggests that subjective experiences may be driving objective measures of aging,” explains Mariana Rodrigues, a PhD student at NYU and the study’s first author.

The study builds on existing research demonstrating a link between psychological distress and biological aging. Previous work has shown that factors like anxiety and depression can influence how genes are expressed, leading to epigenetic changes. “We know from previous research that anxiety, depression, and mental health in general are associated with a number of physical health outcomes, but until now researchers haven’t focused on whether there is a correlation between worrying about aging and the process of aging itself,” Rodrigues notes.

How the Study Was Conducted

Researchers analyzed data from 726 women participating in the Midlife in the United States (MIDUS) study. Participants were asked about their anxieties related to aging, specifically concerns about decreasing attractiveness, increasing health problems, and the inability to have children. Blood samples were also collected to assess biological aging using two “epigenetic clocks”: DunedinPACE, which measures the pace of biological aging, and GrimAge2, which estimates cumulative biological damage.

The findings revealed that greater anxiety about growing older was associated with accelerated epigenetic aging, as measured by the DunedinPACE clock. These biological changes could potentially increase vulnerability to age-related diseases and contribute to physical decline.

Health Concerns Drive the Strongest Link

Interestingly, the study found that worrying about declining health had the strongest association with epigenetic aging. Anxieties surrounding attractiveness and fertility did not show a significant correlation with these biological markers. Researchers speculate this may be because concerns about health are more pervasive and enduring than worries about appearance or reproductive capacity.

“Worrying about declining health had the strongest associations with epigenetic aging,” Rodrigues explained. “This may be because research shows that health-related concerns are more common and persist over time, while worries about beauty and reproductive health may fade with age.”

The Unique Challenges Faced by Women

The researchers also acknowledge that women may experience unique anxieties related to aging, influenced by societal pressures surrounding youth and beauty, as well as concerns about declining fertility. Women in midlife often juggle multiple roles, including caring for aging parents, which can exacerbate anxieties about their own future health. “Women in midlife may also be multiple in roles, including caring for their aging parents. As they see older family members grow older and become sick, they may worry about whether the same thing will happen to them,” says Rodrigues.

Mind-Body Connection and Modifiable Risk Factors

The study underscores the intimate connection between mental and physical health, a relationship often treated as separate entities. “Our research identifies aging anxiety as a measurable and modifiable psychological determinant that seems to be shaping aging biology,” says Adolfo Cuevas, associate professor of social and behavioral sciences at NYU School of Global Public Health and the study’s senior author.

However, the researchers caution that the study’s design, which captured data at a single point in time, cannot definitively establish a causal relationship. They also acknowledge that other factors, such as lifestyle choices, may play a role. In fact, when the researchers adjusted their analyses to account for health behaviors like smoking and alcohol consumption, the association between aging anxiety and epigenetic aging diminished and became statistically insignificant.

Future Research and Implications

Further research is needed to understand how aging anxiety influences the aging process over time and to identify effective strategies for mitigating its potential harm. This could involve developing interventions to address aging-related anxieties and promote mental well-being.

“Aging is a universal experience,” Rodrigues emphasizes. “We need to start a discourse about how we as a society—through our norms, structural factors, and interpersonal relationships—address the challenges of aging.”

The research was supported by the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.