A study by researchers from Yale University suggests that "society is experiencing more stress and strain than ever before," and that this stress "leads to negative psychological and physical outcomes." The study, published on Science Alert, states that "psychological resilience is linked to the level of stress your body experiences." In the short term, stress can sometimes be beneficial as it can aid motivation; however, when it persists over the long term, health effects begin to accumulate.
The study showed that stress can speed up aging. It concluded that "chronic stress is associated with negative long-term health consequences, increasing the likelihood that stress is linked to accelerated aging." The team focused its efforts on "biological clocks," a set of DNA methylation markers that can provide a very accurate estimate of biological age. The study included 444 adults aged 18 to 50 who were given questionnaires regarding their cumulative stress, self-regulation, and current health, followed by blood samples for testing and measuring insulin resistance.
The team found that cumulative stress was associated with changes in methylation, and it also linked cumulative stress to adrenal sensitivity and insulin resistance. Interestingly, those who were good at emotional regulation and self-control—both factors of psychological resilience—experienced fewer negative effects.
