It is a known fact that physical wellbeing of a person is dependent on his mental as well as emotional wellbeing. Recent study has given statistical data to prove this fact.

Research team led by Daniel Mroczek, PU Professor of Child Development and Family Studies, found that people who are neurotics or prone to depression die prematurely than people who are calmer and don’t suffer from these problems.

Research team analyzed data collected from 1,800 men aged around 51 at the beginning of the study in 1975. The study subjects were followed for 30 years.

Study subjects were asked various questions regarding their behavior patterns. With their answers ranging from “not at all” to “very”, their neuroticism was measured on a 10-point scale. Through these questions psychological and personality traits of the men in the study were judged.  

Data analysis indicated that every point on the 10-point scale led to 5% increase in a person’s risk of premature death. Researchers also found that neurotics and depressed people consumption of alcohol and tobacco was more than mentally and emotionally stable people.

Mroczek says: “It may be the case that smoking and other bad health behaviors help alleviate those feelings of being stressed out, those feelings of worry. It may ease those feelings of worry and anxiety, but it may kill you in the end if you stay smoking for say 30 years.”