Skip to content

Health

Could living with an anxious partner reduce your own life expectancy?

by Kieran Ball 18 Aug 2011
Could living with an anxious partner reduce your own life expectancy?

Studying Zebra finches, Taeniopygia Guttata, researchers from the University of Glasgow saw that when glucocorticoid stress hormones were elevated early in life, the birds exhibited increased stress sensitivity in adult life and a reduced lifespan as a result. More significantly, the researchers noted that breeding partners of these birds also experienced decreased life expectancy and the trait seemed to apply to subsequent partners.

In the study, published in the journal Proceedings of the Royal Society B, 68 birds were fed the stress hormone (CORT) in peanut oil five days after hatching and compared with a control group of 90 birds that were only given the oil. CORT was fed to the birds for up to a month, before being withdrawn.

The group then looked at the survival rates of both groups for the following three years. The results were startling. 5% of birds in a control group died after three years, as opposed to 40% in the 'early stress' group, with most deaths occurring in the third year.

Although reproductive ability seemed unaffected, stress seemed to detrimentally affect sexual 'attractiveness'. Control birds were less likely to mate with CORT birds.

More significantly, those control birds that did mate with CORT-fed birds tended to die earlier too. Scientists suggested that the most likely explanation for this was that exposure to a stressed bird created a similar response in its breeding partner.

The research poses two poignant questions: could stress be contagious? And, could similar mechanisms be at work in humans?

Research tells us that stress can and does adversely affect health. Children who experience a stressful childhood are known to be more stress-sensitive in later life. And most people who have lived with a 'stressed-out' partner will experience higher stress levels themselves as a result of that relationship.

Certainly, more work needs to be done on the effects of sharing daily life with a stressed partner, but the evidence is there to suggest that there could be a detrimental affect on your own health and perhaps even your lifespan.

Top Image Credit: Male zebra finch © Kodo34


Trending Eco-Friendly Clothing

Love My Planet Women's Relaxed Fit Hoodie
Earth
Quick Add
Close
Notify me
Notify me
Love My Planet Women's Relaxed Fit Hoodie
Love My Planet women's eco-friendly relaxed fit hoodieSize Guide Centimeters 8 10 12 14 16 18 Bust 84 88 92 97 103 108 Waist 66 70 75 80 85 91 Hips 91 95 99 104 109 116 Bust: Measure around the fullest part of...
£38.00
£38.00
Close
Notify me
Notify me
Penguins Hate Push-Ups Men's Pullover Hoodie
Earth
Quick Add
Close
Notify me
Notify me
Penguins Hate Push-Ups Men's Pullover Hoodie
Penguins Hate Push-Ups men's eco-friendly pullover HoodieSize Guide Centimeters XS S M L XL XXL Height 171 175 179 183 189 195 Chest 86 93 99 104 116 129 Waist 71 76 81 89 99 112 Chest: Measure all round your chest just below...
£38.00
£38.00
Close
Notify me
Notify me
Lightning Bolt Kids Long Sleeve T-Shirt
Earth
Quick Add
Close
Notify me
Notify me
Notify me
Lightning Bolt Kids Long Sleeve T-Shirt
Lightning Bolt kids eco-friendly long sleeve t-shirtSize Guide Centimeters 3-4yrs 5-6yrs 7-8yrs 9-10yrs 11-12yrs Height 98 112 125 136 147 Chest 60 66 70 75 84 Chest: Measure all around your chest just below your armpits. Height: Your natural height If you fall between...
£18.00
£18.00
Close
Notify me
Notify me
Notify me
Union Jack Tote Bag
Earth
Quick Add
Close
Notify me
Notify me
Union Jack Tote Bag
Union Jack eco-friendly colour tote bagProduct Specification Organic Cotton Tote Bag. Twill Weave (170gsm). 37 x 42 cm (7cm gusset.) Made in India / Designed on the Isle of Wight. Wash Cool, Hang Dry.
£16.00
£16.00
Close
Notify me
Notify me
Prev Post
Next Post

Eco-Friendly Shop

Women's Clothing

Eco-Friendly Clothing for Women Our online shop offers a wide range of sustainable women’s clothing products, including t-shirts, hoodies, vests, sweaters, shorts, and...
Shop Now

Men's Clothing

Eco-Friendly Clothing for Men Our online shop offers a wide range of sustainable men’s clothing products, including t-shirts, hoodies, vests, sweaters, shorts, and...
Shop Now

Kids Clothing

Eco-Friendly Clothes for Kids Our online shop offers a wide range of sustainable kids clothing products, including t-shirts, hoodies and jumpers. Our garments...
Shop Now
Someone recently bought a
[time] ago, from [location]

Thanks for subscribing!

This email has been registered!

Shop the look

Choose Options

Earth Times
Sign up for exclusive updates, new arrivals & insider only discounts

Recently Viewed

Edit Option
Back In Stock Notification
this is just a warning
Login
Shopping Cart
0 items

Before you leave...

Take 20% off your first order

20% off

Enter the code below at checkout to get 20% off your first order

CODESALE20

Continue Shopping