Nikhil Prasad Fact checked by:Thailand Medical News Team Mar 10, 2026 1 hour, 36 minutes ago
Medical News:
Troubling Relationships May Affect Your Body
Most people know that dealing with difficult individuals can ruin a day. But new scientific findings suggest that the impact may go much deeper than temporary frustration. Researchers have discovered that regularly interacting with people who constantly cause problems—sometimes called “hasslers”—may actually accelerate biological aging.
Stressful relationships may quietly accelerate the body’s biological aging process.
Biological aging refers to how quickly the body’s cells and tissues deteriorate over time. Unlike chronological age, which simply counts the years since birth, biological age reflects how fast the body is wearing down internally. Scientists now believe that social stress, especially from toxic relationships, may influence this process.
A major new study involving more than 2,000 participants has found that exposure to these stressful relationships could increase the pace of biological aging by about 1.5 percent for every difficult person regularly encountered.
Large Study Examines Social Stress and Health
The research was conducted by scientists from New York University, Utah State University, the University of South Florida, the University of Michigan–Ann Arbor, and Indiana University–Bloomington.
Participants were part of a statewide health survey in Indiana known as the Person-to-Person Study. Researchers collected detailed information about each participant’s social network, including whether they had individuals in their lives who “created problems or made life more difficult.”
Participants were asked about their experiences over the previous six months. They also provided saliva samples so researchers could analyze biological markers related to aging.
Using advanced genetic tools known as epigenetic clocks, scientists examined changes in DNA methylation patterns—chemical modifications that influence how genes function. These clocks, including GrimAge2 and DunedinPACE, allow scientists to estimate a person’s biological age and the speed at which aging is occurring.
Each “Hassler” Linked to Faster Aging
The analysis revealed a striking pattern. For each additional “hassler” identified in a person’s social circle, the rate of biological aging increased by roughly 1.5 percent.
This means someone who interacts with multiple difficult individuals could age biologically faster than someone experiencing fewer stressful social relationships. Over time, even small differences in the pace of aging can accumulate, potentially increasing risks for chronic diseases and earlier health decline.
The study also estimated that each extra difficult person in someone’s life could add roughly nine months to their biological age compared to others of the same chronological age.
This
t-size:16px">Medical News report highlights how these findings suggest that social stress should be considered alongside traditional health risks such as smoking, poor diet, or lack of exercise.
Family Members Often the Biggest Stress Source
Interestingly, the research found that the most stressful relationships were often family members rather than friends or spouses. Parents and children were frequently named as sources of ongoing conflict or emotional strain.
Experts say family ties can be difficult to distance oneself from, making the stress more persistent. Obligations, shared responsibilities, and emotional history can keep people locked into difficult interactions for years.
Outside the family, common sources of stress included coworkers, roommates, and neighbors.
The study also discovered that certain groups were more likely to report having “hasslers” in their social networks. Women, people in poorer health, daily smokers, and individuals who experienced difficult childhood environments were more likely to report multiple stressful relationships.
Stress May Trigger Biological Changes
Scientists believe the link between negative relationships and aging may involve the body’s stress response system.
Repeated interpersonal conflict can activate the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis, a network responsible for releasing stress hormones such as cortisol. While these hormones are useful in short bursts, chronic activation can lead to inflammation, immune disruption, and long-term wear on the body.
The study also found that individuals with more “hasslers” tended to show worse overall health indicators, including higher inflammation markers, more psychiatric symptoms, and poorer self-reported health.
The Importance of Healthy Social Connections
Researchers emphasize that the findings show an association, not direct proof that difficult people cause faster aging. However, the results highlight the powerful influence that social environments may have on health.
Experts recommend setting boundaries when possible and strengthening relationships with supportive individuals. Positive social connections have long been linked to better mental health, reduced risk of cognitive decline, and longer life expectancy.
Conclusion
The study provides growing evidence that the social environment plays a meaningful role in how the body ages. Negative relationships—especially those involving ongoing tension, obligation, or emotional strain—may function as chronic stressors that slowly wear down biological systems. While more research is needed to confirm direct cause-and-effect mechanisms, the findings suggest that improving relationship quality, reducing exposure to harmful interactions, and strengthening supportive social ties may be important strategies for protecting long-term health and slowing the biological aging process.
The study findings were published in the peer reviewed journal: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.2515331123
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Read Also:
https://www.thailandmedical.news/articles/mental-health
https://www.thailandmedical.news/articles/anti-aging
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