Observational study finds higher aging anxiety linked to accelerated biological aging in women — Evidence Review
Published in Psychoneuroendocrinology, by researchers from NYU School of Global Public Health
Researched by
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Table of Contents
Women who worry more about aging—especially about future health—show signs of faster biological aging at the cellular level, according to a new study from the NYU School of Global Public Health. Related research broadly agrees that psychological stress, anxiety, and negative perceptions about aging can accelerate biological aging and impact health.
- Several studies have demonstrated that psychological stress and anxiety are associated with accelerated biological and brain aging, supporting the link between subjective mental states and objective aging processes 1 2 3 4 6 7 8 9 10.
- Negative perceptions of aging and chronic worry have been linked to poorer cognitive, physical, and functional outcomes in older adults, reinforcing the importance of attitudes and beliefs in health trajectories 11 12 13 14 15.
- Some studies suggest resilience factors, such as emotion regulation and coping skills, may mitigate the impact of stress and anxiety on aging, indicating these are potentially modifiable risk factors 7.
Study Overview and Key Findings
Understanding how psychological factors shape the biological process of aging is increasingly important as populations age and concerns about age-related health issues become more common, particularly among women. This study is significant because it highlights the potential for subjective experiences—like anxiety about aging—to be linked with measurable changes in biological aging at the cellular level, moving beyond the idea that aging anxiety is purely psychological. The research specifically focuses on how different types of aging-related worries (appearance, health, fertility) relate to epigenetic aging, using robust molecular measures.
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Study Year | 2025 |
| Organization | NYU School of Global Public Health |
| Journal Name | Psychoneuroendocrinology |
| Authors | Mariana Rodrigues, Jemar R. Bather, Adolfo G. Cuevas |
| Population | Women experiencing aging anxiety |
| Sample Size | 726 women |
| Methods | Observational Study |
| Outcome | Biological aging, anxiety about aging |
| Results | Higher anxiety about aging linked to faster biological aging. |
Literature Review: Related Studies
To situate these findings within the broader scientific literature, we searched the Consensus paper database, which includes over 200 million research papers. The following search queries were used to identify relevant studies:
- anxiety aging biological effects
- psychological stress aging acceleration
- aging perceptions health outcomes research
Below, related research is grouped into major themes, with key findings summarized and cited.
| Topic | Key Findings |
|---|---|
| Does psychological stress and anxiety accelerate biological aging? | - Chronic psychological stress and anxiety are linked to accelerated biological aging as measured by epigenetic clocks, telomere shortening, and brain aging metrics 1 2 3 4 6 7 8 9 10. - Advanced biological aging is seen in individuals with higher levels of anxiety, worry, or stress, independent of genetic risk factors 1 2 3 4 6 10. |
| How do perceptions and beliefs about aging influence health? | - Negative perceptions and anxiety about aging are associated with poorer health outcomes, including cognitive decline, disability, and lower quality of life 11 12 13 14 15. - Subjective views on aging can be predictive of physical and mental health, even after accounting for objective health status 11 12 13 15. |
| Are these psychological and biological effects modifiable? | - Resilience factors, such as emotion regulation and self-control, can reduce the impact of stress and anxiety on biological aging 7. - Interventions targeting psychological stress, coping mechanisms, and social support may mitigate cellular aging and improve health outcomes 6 7 8 14. |
| What are the underlying biological mechanisms? | - Chronic stress and anxiety influence aging through pathways involving hormonal changes, inflammation, oxidative stress, telomere attrition, and changes in gene expression 6 9 10. - These mechanisms may contribute to increased risk for age-related diseases and earlier mortality 6 9 10. |
Does psychological stress and anxiety accelerate biological aging?
Multiple studies support the link between chronic psychological stress, anxiety, and accelerated biological aging. These effects are observed at various levels, including DNA methylation (epigenetic clocks), telomere length, and brain structure.
- Both cross-sectional and longitudinal studies have found that individuals with higher anxiety or depression show signs of advanced biological age, independent of genetic risk 1 2 3 4 10.
- Stress and anxiety are associated with brain aging, reduced gray matter, and greater brain-age estimates in older adults 2 3 4.
- Chronic stress, particularly when combined with other risk factors like poor lifestyle behaviors, intensifies cellular aging processes 6 10.
- The new study aligns with this body of evidence, adding specificity by tying aging anxiety—rather than general anxiety or stress—to biological markers of aging.
How do perceptions and beliefs about aging influence health?
Research consistently shows that how people perceive and feel about aging can have measurable impacts on their actual health outcomes, cognitive abilities, and functional status.
- Negative perceptions of aging predict declines in cognitive function and self-rated memory over time 13 15.
- Older adults with more negative views about aging report poorer physical health, more disability, and lower quality of life, regardless of their objective health status 11 12 15.
- Subjective aging anxiety and beliefs are important predictors for a wide range of health domains, from memory to medical conditions 11 12 15.
- The current study extends this literature by demonstrating that anxieties specifically about health in the context of aging are most strongly linked to accelerated biological aging.
Are these psychological and biological effects modifiable?
Some evidence suggests that resilience and psychological resources can buffer the negative effects of stress and aging anxiety on biological and health outcomes.
- Factors like emotion regulation and self-control can moderate the relationship between stress and biological aging, potentially preventing age acceleration even in the context of high stress 7.
- Interventions that address psychological stress, promote adaptive coping, and enhance social support may reduce the rate of cellular aging and improve outcomes 6 7 8 14.
- The observed attenuation of the association between aging anxiety and accelerated aging after adjusting for health behaviors in the new study suggests that behavior change could be a viable intervention target.
- These findings indicate that while psychological risks are real, they may also be modifiable through targeted strategies.
What are the underlying biological mechanisms?
The literature details multiple interconnected biological pathways through which psychological stress and anxiety may accelerate aging.
- Stress-related activation of neuroendocrine systems leads to hormonal changes (e.g., cortisol), increased inflammation, and oxidative stress, which in turn impact cellular aging 6 10.
- Telomere shortening, epigenetic changes, immune cell senescence, and gene expression alterations are key mechanisms identified in both animal and human studies 6 9 10.
- These molecular and cellular changes are associated with increased risk for a range of chronic diseases and earlier mortality 6 9 10.
- The new findings, using epigenetic clocks (DunedinPACE, GrimAge2), support the involvement of these molecular pathways in the link between aging anxiety and biological aging.
Future Research Questions
While the new study provides important evidence linking aging anxiety to biological aging, further research is needed to clarify mechanisms, causal relationships, and effective interventions. Future studies should address gaps such as longitudinal effects, the role of resilience, and the impact of interventions.
| Research Question | Relevance |
|---|---|
| Does reducing aging anxiety slow biological aging? | Understanding whether interventions that target aging anxiety can slow biological aging is crucial for developing effective mental health and aging strategies 7 11. |
| What are the long-term health effects of aging anxiety? | Longitudinal studies are needed to determine if aging anxiety leads to sustained increases in disease risk, cognitive decline, or earlier mortality 1 13 15. |
| Which psychological or behavioral factors moderate the impact of aging anxiety on biological aging? | Identifying resilience or vulnerability factors could guide personalized interventions and explain individual differences in outcomes 7 14. |
| Are the effects of aging anxiety on biological aging similar in men and other populations? | Most research, including the new study, focuses on women; studying broader populations will clarify generalizability and sex/gender differences 9 12. |
| What are the most effective interventions for reducing aging anxiety and improving biological health? | Comparing psychological, behavioral, and social interventions could help optimize strategies for promoting healthy aging at both individual and population levels 6 7 8. |