The Effect of Emotional Experiences on Biological Aging

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: This study was designed to investigate the effects of usual negative emotional experiences on biological aging progression of human. METHODS: A total of 237 subjects who visited the Health Promotion Center at Chungnam National University Hospital from May 2013 through September 2013 was enrolled. Each subject had been drawn up a structured questionnaire about usual experiences of depression, anxiety, anger, and anger expression. The degree of biological aging progression of each subject was computed by a specific formula which consisted of chronological age and biological age reflecting obesity and aging of main organs. RESULTS: Trait anger and low education level showed the significant correlations with biological aging (r=0.160, P=0.014, and r=−0.189, P=0.024, respectively). Trait anger and low education level solely displayed the significant R2 s for biological aging in consequence of multivariate analyses; R2 =0.044, P=0.020, and R2 =0.022, P=0.038, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that the significant relationship between usual anger experience (i.e., trait anger) and biological aging would be present. In addition, lower education level may be related with biological aging.