Research from Harvard and the University of British Columbia: The impact of gratitude on life expectancy.
About this information was reported by the scientific journal Jama Psichiatry, reports URA-Inform.
A team of scientists from Harvard University and the University of British Columbia conducted a study to find out whether gratitude increases life expectancy.
The study was based on data from 49,275 women who participated in the Nurses' Health Study, which began in 1976. The study updates information on the health, lifestyle and psychosocial aspects of American women nurses every two years.
In 2016, when the average age of the participants reached 79 years, scientists conducted a survey to assess the level of gratitude. Women rated six statements, such as “There are many things in my life that I am grateful for,” on a scale from 1 (strongly disagree) to 7 (strongly agree). In 2019, researchers analyzed mortality data (4,608 cases) and compared them with survey results.
The study found that high levels of gratitude correlated with increased life expectancy and a reduced risk of death from various causes. Despite adjusting for factors such as social connections and medical history, the results did not provide clear evidence of a direct link between gratitude and longevity, although previous studies have suggested this possibility.
The researchers stressed that their work has limitations because -for the homogeneity of the sample – all participants were nurses, mostly white and over 70 years old. To confirm the results, the study needs to be repeated in different socio-demographic, religious and cultural groups.
If a link is established between gratitude and longevity, cultivating feelings of gratitude could be a simple and accessible method for increasing the quality and longevity of life. Previous studies have shown that feelings of gratitude can be developed by, for example, writing down or discussing your gratitude several times a week.
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