Difficult people in your life may accelerate ageing, new study finds

Regularly dealing with difficult people in everyday life could slightly accelerate the body’s ageing process, according to a new study published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

Many people recognise that stressful relationships—such as conflicts with family members, tension with colleagues or disputes with close acquaintances—can leave them feeling emotionally exhausted. However, researchers now suggest that these interactions may influence more than just mood and wellbeing.

The study examined how social stress affects biological ageing, a term used to describe how quickly the body’s cells and systems deteriorate over time. This differs from chronological age, which simply measures the number of years a person has lived. Two individuals may be the same age in years but experience different biological ageing depending on factors such as lifestyle, environment and health.

Researchers focused on individuals described as “hasslers” — people who regularly create conflict, complain frequently or make everyday life more stressful for others. These individuals may demand emotional energy, generate arguments or introduce ongoing tension into relationships.

To investigate the impact of such interactions, scientists analysed data from more than 2,000 adults who had taken part in a health survey conducted in Indiana in the United States.

Participants were asked about their relationships during the previous six months, including how often someone in their lives had “hassled them, caused problems, or generally made life more difficult”. Researchers also collected information about the participants’ health and lifestyle, as well as saliva samples.

These samples were used to examine epigenetic markers — chemical signals found in DNA that can help estimate the rate at which a person’s body is ageing. Such markers are widely used in modern research to provide insights into biological processes occurring within cells as people grow older.

The findings revealed a clear pattern. Individuals who reported having more “hasslers” in their lives tended to show signs of faster biological ageing. According to the researchers, each additional difficult person a participant regularly interacted with was linked to an increase of around 1.5 per cent in the pace of biological ageing.

Although the figure may appear small, researchers say the effect could accumulate over time. Someone with one additional stressful relationship might biologically age at roughly 1.015 years for every calendar year. Over a longer period, even modest increases could influence long-term health.

However, the researchers emphasised that the findings show an association rather than direct causation. The results indicate a link between stressful relationships and faster ageing, but they do not prove that difficult individuals directly cause biological ageing. Other factors, such as general stress levels, lifestyle habits or life circumstances, may also contribute.

The study also highlighted patterns in who reported the highest number of stressful relationships. Women were more likely than men to say they had difficult people in their lives. Researchers noted that previous studies have shown women often experience social relationships more intensely and may be more sensitive to both positive and negative interactions.

Women are also more likely to recognise emotional difficulties within relationships and feel responsible for managing them, which may increase the emotional impact of stressful interactions.

In addition, participants who already had poorer health were more likely to report challenging relationships. People who had experienced difficult childhood environments were also more likely to say they encountered “hasslers” in adulthood.

The research further found that family members were frequently identified as the main sources of stress. Parents and children were mentioned more often than spouses. Outside the family, colleagues, flatmates and neighbours were also commonly described as stressful individuals.

These findings underline a significant challenge. Unlike friendships, which people may sometimes choose to end, family ties and workplace relationships are often harder to avoid. Many individuals feel obliged to maintain these connections even when they are emotionally draining.

Experts suggest that establishing healthier boundaries may help reduce the negative effects. Limiting the time and emotional energy invested in stressful relationships, and recognising when a relationship is causing harm, can be important steps in protecting both mental and physical wellbeing.

Despite these findings, researchers stress that social relationships remain essential for good health. Positive connections with supportive friends, relatives and community members can provide emotional comfort, reduce stress and improve overall wellbeing.

A growing body of research shows that strong social bonds are linked to better mental health, stronger immune systems, a lower risk of cognitive decline and longer life expectancy. By contrast, loneliness and social isolation are increasingly recognised as serious health concerns.

According to estimates by the World Health Organization, loneliness may contribute to hundreds of thousands of deaths worldwide each year.

Researchers conclude that the key issue may not simply be having relationships, but the quality of those relationships. Supportive and caring interactions can help protect health, while persistent conflict and emotional strain may gradually place stress on the body.

While further research is needed to understand the biological mechanisms involved, the study provides new evidence that everyday social stress may influence how quickly our bodies age over time.