A groundbreaking study by researchers from the University of Vienna suggests that how old you feel—your self-concept of age—may be just as important as your actual age in determining happiness and well-being. This new research urges people of all ages not to dismiss the old adage of being “young at heart,” as cultivating a youthful mindset could help defend against the negative effects of ageism and support healthier self-identity as they grow older (Psychology Today; SpringerLink).
Across the world and particularly in Thailand’s family-oriented society, concepts around age hold significant weight and shape how individuals are treated and how they view themselves. In a culture that values both respect for elders and the vibrancy of youth, this research adds important context to the age-old question of whether we are as old as we feel—or as old as others tell us we are.
The University of Vienna study, led by Dr. Fiona Rupprecht and colleagues and published in 2025, analyzed data from 768 adults aged 30 to 80 as part of the German Aging in the Future Project. Participants were surveyed on how old they felt in several key life areas, including family, friendship, religion, leisure, work, fitness, personality, and appearance. Importantly, the study also asked respondents to define the age at which they considered someone “old” in each domain (SpringerLink).
The researchers found that subjective age—essentially, a person’s internal sense of how old they are—varied according to life domains and personal priorities. Younger adults tended to feel younger in domains most important to their self-concept. In contrast, older adults maintained their youthful self-concept not by feeling younger in all domains, but by shifting upward the age they considered to be “old.” For instance, someone in their 60s might now define being “old” as starting at age 75 or 80.
This psychological strategy helps protect self-esteem against common societal stereotypes about aging. As the study notes, “Individuals can redefine what it means to be old in personally important domains and adapt age thresholds accordingly.” This adjustment reflects a desire to maintain dignity and purpose in the face of ageist attitudes, which remain prevalent in many societies, including Thailand.
Expert commentary highlights that this process is a balancing act: “People toggle between feeling younger (the assimilative approach) and pushing old-age thresholds further back (the accommodative approach) to maintain their young self-concept in important life domains,” explained the research team. This aligns with earlier frameworks from psychology, such as those advanced by Brandtstädter & Rothermund (2002) and Sneed & Whitbourne (2003), which describe these dynamics as crucial to healthy aging.
While feeling young at heart has clear psychological advantages, the study acknowledges a potential downside: losing touch with practical aspects of aging. It would be unwise, for example, for someone to ignore real health needs or appropriate behaviors in a social context. Thai traditions, which often emphasize matrilineal respect and role-modeling for the next generation, reinforce the value of graceful, wise aging while still embracing positivity and playfulness—a harmony that this research seems to endorse.
Internationally, previous investigations have also documented the power of subjective age. For example, research from Burkina Faso found that older adults often feel much younger than their biological age, and those who do tend to report better mental and physical health (PubMed). Long-term studies in the U.S. and Europe have also confirmed that feeling younger than one’s chronological age is associated with lower mortality risk, better cognitive functioning, and improved body image—even into the 70s and 80s (BBC Future).
For Thailand, where the population is aging rapidly—nearly 20% over 60 as of 2024—the implications are profound. Older Thais who feel young at heart may find themselves more resilient in the face of the double bind of declining health and social marginalization. In practical settings, this might manifest in greater willingness to participate in community activities, try new leisure pursuits, or resist internalizing negative stereotypes about aging prevalent in certain forms of Thai media and social commentary.
Thai experts in gerontology note that “The blend of Buddhist non-attachment, fun-loving ‘sanuk’, and lifelong community engagement can support the kind of flexible self-concept described in this study,” according to a senior official from a leading Thai university’s Center for Aging Studies. However, he cautions that “Cultural respect for elders does not always translate into inclusive policy or ongoing self-worth for aging individuals,” highlighting the need for interventions that reinforce positive, youthful self-concepts alongside practical support for health and independence.
The study also brings urgency to the global challenge of combating ageism—a problem Thailand faces both in age-based employment discrimination and negative media depictions of aging. By encouraging older adults to stay young at heart, not through denial but through flexible redefinitions of self and age, families and communities can nurture healthier, happier aging. This might mean older Thais embracing new hobbies, refusing to believe that physical activity “is only for the young,” or seeing community leadership roles as suitable at any age.
Experts clarify, however, that the goal is not to avoid aging or to chase unattainable youthful ideals. Rather, the recommendation is to “hang on to that young-at-heart mentality, at least internally (and not by prancing around with the kiddies in the garden),” as the study’s summary puts it. Instead of resisting aging, it can be more adaptive to redefine its meaning in internally fulfilling ways.
Looking forward, psychologists suggest that future research should examine how these findings translate in Asian and Buddhist contexts—such as Thailand—where intergenerational responsibilities and spiritual acceptance of life’s cycle play a key role. Could maintaining a young self-concept buffer against loneliness and isolation, two major risks for Thai elders? And how might digital technology, which is increasingly used by older Thais, shape their self-perceptions in positive or negative ways?
In the meantime, actionable recommendations for Thai readers include:
- Recognize and reflect on personal definitions of “old” and how they affect self-concept and life choices;
- Engage in meaningful, age-diverse activities that support a youthful outlook, such as exercise, volunteering, or lifelong learning;
- Encourage positive views of aging in family and community settings to counteract ageist messages;
- Resist social pressure to act “old” before you feel ready, but also honor health needs and appropriate boundaries;
- Support policies and programs that promote flexible, empowering interpretations of aging and active social participation at all ages.
In summary, remaining young at heart is not just the stuff of fairy tales or old songs—it is a proven strategy for enhancing well-being, self-esteem, and social vitality amidst the inevitable passage of years. For Thai readers and families, blending this insight with Buddhist principles and local traditions may pave the way for not only longer, but richer, happier lives (Psychology Today, SpringerLink, BBC Future).