A new study from the University of Virginia has found that teenagers who often act in angry or aggressive ways may age faster later in life.
The research focused on 13-year-olds who were hostile toward their friends and had difficult relationships, especially with their fathers. When these teens reached 30 years old, their bodies showed signs of aging faster than normal.
The study was led by psychology professor Joseph Allen and followed 123 participants over 17 years. It began in 1998 and included regular check-ins with the participants, their close friends, and their parents.
Researchers looked at several health indicators such as cholesterol, blood pressure, blood sugar, white blood cell count, inflammation, and a specific protein. These are all signs of how healthy a person is and how long they are likely to live.
Professor Allen explained that the study found two strong links to faster aging. The first was ongoing conflict with fathers during late teenage years. The second was continued hostile or mean behavior toward close friends throughout the participants’ 20s. These patterns were connected to physical signs of faster aging by age 30.
This isn’t the first time scientists have linked aggressive or hostile relationships to health problems, especially heart disease. But what makes this study unique is that it shows how actual behavior, not just emotions or thoughts, affects long-term health.
The aggressive behaviors were reported not just by the individuals themselves, but also by their friends. This adds strength to the findings.
The study included both males and females—46 males and 75 females—and the results were the same for both groups.
One of the more interesting parts of the study was the connection between father-child conflict and later aging. Allen said it’s not fully clear why this is the case.
However, past research suggests that relationships with mothers often shape how a person behaves in close or romantic relationships. On the other hand, relationships with fathers may have more influence on how someone functions in the larger world.
Because this group of people was first studied in 1998, Allen notes that social roles at that time may have played a part. Still, he believes that fights with fathers may often feel more serious or intense than those with mothers.
In some families, disagreements with mothers might involve yelling or arguments. But with fathers, the conflict may feel scarier or more threatening, even if it doesn’t lead to physical harm.
Allen also pointed out that teenagers care deeply about their friendships. While adults may think teenage drama is silly, this study shows that those early social patterns matter a lot in the long run.
If a teenager often gets into fights or treats others in a hostile way, it’s not just a short-term problem. It can affect their mental health, how they relate to others, and even how their body ages.
He says that if a teen is showing signs of aggressive behavior in relationships, it should be taken seriously as a red flag. It could be an early warning sign of long-term problems—not only emotionally, but physically as well.
If you care about wellness, please read studies about nutrients that could combat inflammation in older people, and essential foods for healthy aging.
For more health information, please see recent studies about the link between processed foods and chronic diseases, and a simple diet change for a healthier life after 65.
This important study will be published in the Journal of Health Psychology later this month.
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