Women who experience intense anxiety about their health declining with age tend to age faster at the molecular level. This conclusion was reached by scientists who analyzed epigenetic markers of aging. The study was published in the journal Psychoneuroendocrinology.

Age is increasingly viewed not only as the number of years lived, but also as a biological process. People of the same chronological age may age biologically at different rates, depending on the condition of their cells. To assess such differences, researchers use so-called epigenetic “clocks,” which are based on changes in DNA methylation — chemical tags that regulate gene activity.

Previous research has shown that chronic stress and psychological distress can accelerate biological aging. However, the impact of anxiety specifically related to aging itself has been studied far less. This form of anxiety includes fears about deteriorating health, loss of attractiveness, and declining reproductive capacity — issues that women often face under particular social pressure.

A research team led by Mariana Rodriguez from the NYU School of Global Public Health analyzed data from 726 women who participated in the large-scale U.S. MIDUS study. The participants provided blood samples and answered questions about their psychological well-being.

The scientists assessed anxiety in three areas: fear of worsening health, concerns about appearance, and anxiety related to reproductive aging. Biological age was determined using two epigenetic algorithms, one of which — DunedinPACE — estimates the current pace of aging.

The analysis showed that health-related anxiety was specifically associated with accelerated biological aging. Women who worried more about potential illness and physical decline exhibited a faster rate of cellular aging, regardless of existing chronic conditions.

Meanwhile, concerns related to appearance and reproductive age showed no statistically significant link to accelerated aging. According to the researchers, such fears tend to diminish over time, whereas anxiety about health, on the contrary, increases with age.