#Selfconcept

A new study from the University of Vienna suggests that how old you feel, your internal sense of age, may matter as much as your actual age for happiness and well-being. The researchers recommend embracing a youthful mindset as a practical hedge against ageism and to maintain a positive self-identity as people grow older.

In Thailand’s family-centered culture—where respect for elders sits alongside the lively energy of youth—this research offers timely insight. It highlights how subjective age can influence treatment by others and personal self-perception, reinforcing the idea that age is as much a state of mind as a number.

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).