A sense of meaning and purpose entering old age plays a key role in lengthening lifespan, researchers say today.
A study of more than 9,000 people in England found those with the greatest "wellbeing" enjoyed a 30% reduced risk of dying over an eight year period.
The 9,000 people had an average age of 65 when researchers began the study.
Researchers defined wellbeing as having a sense of control and a sense of purpose in life together with a feeling that what someone was doing was worthwhile.
They sought to allow for factors such as alcohol, depression and smoking.
The findings were being reported in The Lancet today.
Researcher Professor Andrew Steptoe, of University College London, said factors such as blood pressure and hormonal changes could play a part.
He said: “These analyses show that the meaningfulness and sense of purpose that older people have in their lives are also related to survival. We cannot be sure that higher wellbeing necessarily causes lower risk of death, since the relationship may not be causal.
"But the findings raise the intriguing possibility that increasing wellbeing could help to improve physical health."
Subjective wellbeing, health, and ageing Lancet 6 November 2014 [abstract]
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