New research suggests feeling in control of one' life and future could actually promote longevity.
People who feel in control could lead longer and healthier lives, especially if they have less education, a Brandeis University news release reported.
Past studies have shown that individuals with a high school diploma or even less education often die younger than those who have a college degree or higher.
This new study found people with lower education levels who felt in control of their lives a mortality rate three times lower than those in the same income bracket who had a lower sense of control.
"A high sense of control all but wipes out educational differences when it comes to mortality," Professor Margie Lachman, the Minnie and Harold Fierman, Professor of Psychology, and an author of the paper, said in the news release. "A person with less education but a high sense of control is practically indistinguishable from a person of high education."
Study participants were asked to rate a series of questions based on how much they agreed with it.
For example participants were told "Sometimes I feel I am being pushed around in my life" and were asked to rate that statement from one (strongly agree) to seven (strongly disagree).
"There are methods and strategies for improving one's sense of control, and educational experiences are one of them," Lachman said. "We could implement those approaches in educational and public health programs aimed at increasing health-promoting attitudes and behaviors and ultimately lowering mortality risks."
Lachman believes the study's results hold "important health implications," the news release reported.
The study authors include "Nicolas Turiano and Benjamin Chapman of the University of Rochester Medical Center, Frank Infurna of the German Institute for Economic Research, and Stefan Agrigoroaei of Brandeis," the news release reported.
