Living a purposeless life may lead one to question the very essence of existence, while living with a clear sense of purpose can bring a profound sense of fulfillment and value. Recent research has shown that having a sense of purpose in life also has health benefits, reducing the risk of developing dementia by up to 28%.
A study conducted by the University of California, Davis, tracked 13,765 adults aged 45 and above for a period of 15 years. Researchers analyzed the participants’ mental well-being, including their sense of life purpose, and cognitive impairment, conducting a follow-up survey after 15 years. Participants were rated on a scale of 1 to 6 based on their responses to each question, with higher scores indicating a greater sense of purpose in life.
The study found that individuals with a stronger sense of purpose in life were approximately 28% less likely to develop cognitive impairment, including mild cognitive impairment and dementia, as they aged.
Researchers noted that the protective effects of having a sense of purpose transcended racial barriers. Even when taking into account factors such as participants’ education levels, depression, and the known Alzheimer’s disease risk factor APOE4 gene, this protective effect remained significant.
Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at the university, Aliza Wingo, stated, “Our research findings indicate that having a sense of purpose helps the brain maintain resilience during the aging process. Even for individuals at genetic risk for Alzheimer’s disease, a sense of purpose is associated with delayed onset and lower risk of developing the disease.”
The study also revealed that individuals with a higher sense of purpose tended to experience cognitive decline later in life compared to those with a lower sense of purpose. When considering age, education level, depression symptoms, and genetic risk, on average, the onset of cognitive decline was delayed by 1.4 months over 8 years. While seemingly modest, this delay holds significant implications compared to current treatment methods.
Lead author of the study, Nicholas C. Howard, a public health researcher at the university, mentioned, “Although drugs like lecanemab and donanemab can moderately delay cognitive impairment in Alzheimer’s disease, they also come with risks and costs.”
He added, “Life’s purpose is liberating, secure, and accessible. It is something that people can establish through relationships, ambitions, and meaningful activities.”
While the study did not specifically inquire about the activities that gave participants their sense of life purpose, prior research on aging has shown that various activities can help individuals find purpose, such as caring for family members, volunteering, engaging in spiritual practices, pursuing personal goals, and aiding others through charitable work or advocacy.
The exact reason why having a sense of purpose can prevent dementia remains unclear. However, these findings offer intriguing insights for researchers in their endeavors to find treatments for diseases like Alzheimer’s and understand how these diseases originate in the brain.
Researchers emphasize that purpose in life is something that can be cultivated. It is never too early or too late to start contemplating what gives your life meaning.
The findings of the aforementioned study were published in the American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry.