A study conducted by the National University of Singapore (NUS) found that good mental health can lead to longevity despite poor physical health. The research involved 1,000 Chinese Singaporeans aged between 85 and 99 and was conducted as part of the Singapore Chinese Health Study. The research tracked participants for over two decades, examining their objective markers such as the absence of chronic diseases and independence in daily activities, and subjective criteria such as cognitive ability and happiness in relationships. The findings, published in the International Journal Of Experimental, Clinical, Behavioural And Technological Gerontology in December, revealed that participants with a positive psychological state had a higher probability of survival.

Participants were grouped into four categories: fit and positive, fairly fit and neutral, frail but resilient, and frail and dejected. The fit and positive group, comprising 43.9% of participants, had the highest probability of survival, followed by those who were fairly fit and neutral, who accounted for 17.3% of participants. The frail and dejected group had the lowest survival rate, comprising only 13.4% of the cohort. Those defined as frail but resilient lived longer than those who were frail and dejected, with a 37% lower mortality risk. This group, which scored poorly in objective indicators such as chronic diseases but well in subjective indicators such as happiness with life and social engagement, made up 25.4% of the participants.

The study found that a positive attitude and high satisfaction with life are linked to reduced inflammation, better immunity, and thus a higher rate of survival. Professor Koh Woon Puay, a senior scientist in the Healthy Longevity Translational Research Programme at NUS Medicine, said that this is evidence of the benefit of a “positive psychological state against physical, functional, and activity limitations.” However, she cautioned that the findings should not be generalized to draw conclusions about the wider community. Prof Koh, who is also the principal investigator of the Singapore Chinese Health Study, said that families can help build resilience in seniors to help them live longer and more enriching lives.

Associate Professor Feng Qiushi from the NUS Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, an author of the study, said that families can do their part to help build a spirit of resilience in seniors. The researchers are now expanding their scope with a study looking at Singaporeans in their 70s of different races. The study provides evidence that better psychological adaptation to declining health may offset the impact of ageing.