A sense of purpose in life is linked to better physical and mental health, particularly in those over 60 years old, according to a study by the University of California in San Diego. The study, published in the Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, surveyed 1,042 participants aged between 21 and over 100 years old, asking them about their sense of purpose and recording their health data. The study found that those who had a sense of purpose were happier and healthier than those who did not. The link between a sense of purpose and physical health was most pronounced in those over 60 years old, who were more likely to report a lack of purpose in life.
The study’s authors suggest that seniors could benefit from therapy to help them find a sense of purpose and improve their wellbeing. The study also found that younger people were more likely to report a lack of purpose in life, which the authors attribute to uncertainty about their careers and relationships. The authors suggest that further research is needed to explore the impact of other factors, such as loneliness and life experience, on a sense of purpose and health. They also plan to investigate whether biomarkers for stress and ageing are linked to a sense of purpose in life.
The study’s lead author, Awais Aftab, said that “the medicine is just beginning to understand that the meaning of life is clinically relevant.” Co-author Dilip Jeste added that “many people think about this topic from a philosophical perspective, but it could also have an impact on health and perhaps even longevity.” The study’s findings suggest that finding a sense of purpose in life could be a “potentially modifiable factor” that could improve patients’ wellbeing.
