A recent study by scientists at Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health has revealed important findings about the effects of bereavement on biological aging. Researchers have found that people who have experienced the loss of a parent, partner, sibling or child show signs of accelerated biological aging compared to those who have not.
The study's lead author, Allison Aiello, noted that the results show a close connection between the loss of loved ones at different stages of life and faster biological aging. The age of cells, tissues and organs is determined using the epigenetic clock — a DNA marker that reflects how quickly the body ages at the cellular level.
The study included thousands of participants of all ages, starting in the teenage years, and was conducted as part of the Longitudinal Health Study, which began in 1994-95. Scientists analyzed the effect of losses on biological age, dividing losses into two groups: those that occurred in childhood or adolescence (under 18 years), and those that occurred in adulthood (from 19 to 43 years). The overall rate of loss during life was also assessed.
The results showed that the number of losses experienced directly affects the rate of biological aging. The greatest impact was observed in cases where multiple losses occurred in adulthood. Aiello emphasized that while the effects of losing a loved one are well known, certain stages of life can be more sensitive to such losses, and the accumulation of losses is an important factor.
Losses, especially at a young age, can have serious consequences for mental and physical health, including cognitive difficulties, increased risk of heart disease and premature mortality. These effects can last long after the loss has occurred.
The researchers noted that while the health effects of bereavement can manifest themselves at different stages of life, the greatest impact is seen during periods of personal development, such as childhood and adolescence. "We do not yet fully understand how loss leads to poorer health and increased mortality, but biological aging may be one possible mechanism," Allison Aiello concluded.
