The study, led by New York University assistant professor Byungkyu Lee, revealed that having a challenging individual in one's close network increases biological ageing by 1.5 per cent. Notably, this relationship did not extend to spouses, even though nearly 30 per cent of participants reported having at least one difficult person in their lives. The physical toll stems from prolonged stress that affects gene activity, sleep, and mood, occasionally presenting as chronic headaches or fatigue. Psychologists emphasize that establishing personal recovery opportunities is vital, noting the findings reflect an association rather than direct causation.
Key points
Persistent social strain disrupts sleep and alters gene activity tied to physical inflamm…: Persistent social strain disrupts sleep and alters gene activity tied to physical inflammation and accelerated ageing.
Psychologists caution that the study's current data indicates an association rather than…: Psychologists caution that the study's current data indicates an association rather than definite proof of direct causation.
Managing emotional boundaries and prioritizing recovery opportunities helps protect perso…: Managing emotional boundaries and prioritizing recovery opportunities helps protect personal well-being without completely severing necessary social relationships.
Sources checked by our analysis pipeline: 1
What are the interpersonal relationships that are more stressful to deal with than others? Psychologists explain how to manage challenging interactions, set boundaries, recover emotionally – and maybe age better.
People who make life difficult for you are, well, everywhere. Unless you choose to live like a recluse, you’re bound to encounter challenging interpersonal relationships that make you feel worn out after each interaction.
And that weariness may be more than just a passing feeling. Researchers have found that difficult individuals, or “hasslers” as they call them, can have a negative impact on your health – more specifically, your rate of biological ageing.
In a study involving more than 2,300 adults, researchers from New York University (NYU) discovered that having a difficult person in your close social network could increase biological ageing by 1.5 per cent – or the equivalent of about nine months.
Your biological age reflects how well your body functions compared to the average markers for your age – and it can be younger or older than your calendar age. Interestingly, there was no association between spouses…
Health officials are struggling to curb the historic crisis because it is driven by the rare Bundibugyo strain, which lacks approved vaccines or treatments. Regional security conflicts and fragile medical infrastructure have accelerated transmission across eight provinces and triggered international spread into neighboring nations. In response, foreign governments are implementing strict quarantine protocols and international travel bans to prevent further cross-border contamination.
Muhammad Zulfiqar Abdul Aziz was denied bail following an October 29 collision that killed a motorcyclist and his pregnant 24-year-old wife along Tampines Avenue 12. The accused breached a road divider in a deregistered car while already disqualified from driving, leaving a six-year-old orphan and hospitalizing another motorist. This tragedy reflects growing concerns as nationwide traffic fatalities reached a decade-long peak of 149 in 2025.
After personal savings dwindled from financing her daughter's competitive tournaments, former corporate salesperson Nidhi Bhasin Rohilla channeled her commercial background into addressing North India's lack of sports infrastructure. She established a regional operational network designed to support emerging players facing steep coaching and travel hurdles. The venture has transformed grass-roots access by conducting dozens of monthly competitions across multiple states.