A new study finds a possible connection between mental resilience and a lower risk of death

A longitudinal cohort study, published in the journal BMJ Mental Health, has found a link between greater mental resilience and lower risk of mortality, particularly among women. Researchers initially examined data from the Health and Retirement Study, which first began in 1992. Measured every two years, from 2006 - 2008, questions on mental resilience were introduced. This data was gathered from 10,569 US participants, with an average age of 66 of whom 59% were women. Those who participated in the study were then monitored until May 2021, or when they died. 

While the study (which was peer-reviewed by researchers in China) is careful not to conclude that there are causal links between mental wellbeing, resilience and chance of death, an almost linear association was uncovered.

During the 12-year follow-up period, 3,489 participants died (from any cause). The findings revealed that greater psychological resilience was associated with a reduced risk of all-cause mortality, adjusting for age, sex, race and body mass index. The researchers noted that this association remained statistically significant when further adjustments were made to include those with conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, cancer and who smoked. 

When examining the data, it was found that this association was stronger for women than men. Resilience scores were divided into quartiles and linked to 10-year survival probabilities. Those in the highest quartile were 53% less likely to die in the next 10 years, compared to those with the lowest resilience. 

All in all, the study suggests that resilience is a protective factor against mortality. This underscores the importance of maintaining health and overall wellbeing. But what exactly does it mean to be resilient and how can we shift the way we respond to uncertainty? 

What is mental resilience? 

‘Resilience’ refers to how well we can cope with challenging life circumstances and events. It considers qualities such as calmness perseverance, a sense of purpose and self-reliance. Ultimately, resilient people are better able to use their mental strength to move forward through tough times. 

Speaking on our podcast Happiful: Finding What Works, resilience coach Alex Pett uses an analogy of trees in a forest to describe what it means to actually be resilient: “...if you've got a tree that can sway in the winds, it's gonna survive a storm, but a rigid tree is gonna snap. So when the storms of life come for us, because they do all the freaking time, right? The last thing you want is to be rigidly holding onto this idea of, 'I need to be this person. I need to not show my feelings.' And to be so disconnected from yourself that you can't bend, you can't be flexible, you've got no resources.” 

Listen to the full episode of Resilience: Finding What Works wherever you get your podcasts. 

 

Resilience is increasingly becoming recognised as a pillar in successful ageing. It’s particularly important among older people to help them counter stereotypes about old age and the inevitable challenges that come with getting older. In fact, resilience can help improve the quality of life, satisfaction, happiness and overall wellbeing among older adults. This study further highlights the benefits of this mindset. 

Caroline Abrahams, the charity director of Age UK, said, “...it’s notable that so many studies looking at what helps us in later life comment positively about a list of similar factors. Staying connected, retaining a sense of purpose and doing things you enjoy all seem to help, and of course they make life more fulfilling too.”

How to build resilience in older people 

With older adults being at greater risk of loneliness, boosting resilience is key to protecting mental wellness. Some ways to foster resilience include:

  • Maintaining strong relationships with family, friends, support groups or communities. 
  • Develop a positive mindset by engaging in practices such as mindfulness, meditation and gratitude journaling. 
  • Stay active where possible.
  • Get involved with the community by volunteering or contributing to wider projects, such as a community garden. 
  • Develop a toolkit of coping skills that you know work for you, like stress management techniques or deep breathing exercises. Have these on hand when faced with adversity. 
  • Continue to learn and grow by embracing new opportunities or taking up a hobby.

Resilience is something that we have to learn and build upon, but this can be trickier in later life. If you think you or someone you know might need some support to help them become more resilient, you can reach out to a coach like Alex on the Life Coach Directory. 

Remember, if your mental health has been affected by challenges in later life, there is support available. Find out more about how counselling can support older people on the Counselling Directory. 

Read the original article in The Guardian.