Shevaun Neupert, a psychology professor at North Carolina State University, explains that stress tends to make older adults feel their age or even older than they are. However, little research has focused on this in younger adults, such as those in their teens, 20s, and 30s. Understanding this phenomenon across different age groups could help develop ways to safeguard mental and physical well-being.
The study involved 107 adults aged 18 to 36, with an average age of about 20. They filled out a baseline and more detailed daily surveys for eight days. These surveys aimed to gauge their daily stress levels, their perceived control over their lives, and how old they felt and looked each day.
The main finding was that on days when participants felt more stressed than usual, they also felt and looked older. This effect only occurred when they also felt they had less control over their lives than usual.
Crucially, the levels of stress and control were compared to each participant’s usual levels. Even if someone reported relatively low stress, the effect was observed if it was higher than their norm. Similarly, the effect still showed if someone felt they still had a fair amount of control, but less than usual.
Neupert highlights that this phenomenon isn’t limited to older adults; it also affects young people. Moreover, chronic stress can have harmful effects over time, and since younger generations are experiencing historically high-stress levels, it’s crucial to monitor their stress-related physical and mental health closely.
Understanding how stress impacts perceptions of age in young adults is essential for developing strategies to support their well-being as they transition into adulthood.