Blowing out more than a hundred candles on the birthday cake is no longer something exceptional. According to the UN Population Division, 621,000 people had exceeded the three-digit threshold in 2021, when in 1990 they barely numbered 92,000.
Spain, where our research is carried out, is precisely one of the countries with the highest number of centenarians in the world: 19,639, according to the latest data from the National Institute of Statistics. Of them, 77% are women.
Within this population, our research team has studied the characteristics of those people who reached that age in a healthy way. This implies not showing signs of cognitive deterioration and enjoying reasonable physical autonomy, since it is this privileged group that can provide certain keys on how to age healthily.
Genetic and lifestyle factors are very relevant to achieving extreme longevity in good condition, but what about psychological factors? Research shows that people who experience more positive emotions and are more satisfied with their lives are more likely to live longer.
Additionally, psychological resources (optimism, resilience, self-esteem, etc.) are not only the ingredients that nourish psychological well-being, but also contribute to mental and physical health.
In a recent investigation, we asked ourselves whether healthy centenarians actually present psychological resources or positive personality characteristics that could have helped them to more successfully face the traumatic situations, difficulties and challenges that such a long life subjects them to.
To answer this question, we conducted in-depth interviews with 19 healthy people between 100 and 107 years old (16 were women). Thus we found that centenarians shared 19 psychological resources, which we grouped into 8 categories. Here we accompany them with some representative testimonies:
The interviewees are active and participatory people, involved with life and with a clear will to continue living. Some had worked until very old ages and were still active physically and intellectually today.
“I have been sewing until I was 98 years old –[in reference to her profession as a dressmaker]–. Now I really like doing crossword puzzles and I try Sudoku puzzles. I take the elevator down the stairs, but I walk up them, to exercise my legs” (Woman, 100 years old).
“At 6 o'clock it's the grandparents' party and I'm going to go. Plus there is bingo, and I don't want to miss it” (Male, 100 years old).
They are characterized by sociability. They feel loved by those around them and have helped others whenever they can throughout their lives.
“I have never had a hard time making friends; That's why I'm very nice. I have had many friends” (Woman, 104 years old).
“They love me a lot here. Every time I pass a nun, she makes me affectionate and she says something nice to me, and they don't do that to everyone” (Man, 100 years old).
“An elderly couple with few resources came to eat at my house every day” (Woman, 102 years old).
They have been responsible, competent, hard-working, valued, loved and honest people. They persevered to achieve their goals.
“My bosses appreciated me a lot. I was with them for seven years and the day I got married the lady cried as if she were my mother” (Woman, 103 years old).
“Four years ago I broke my hip, and after a month or so I was already walking, without crutches or a walker, without anything. I am very persevering” (Woman, 101 years old).
They have taken control of their lives, showing autonomy of judgment and knowing how to find opportunities.
“When my husband got sick, I had to face everything. I took over my husband's businesses, I kept the accounts and the banks, I commanded the men, everything” (Woman, 102 years old).
These are curious people who value culture, with motivation to learn. In many cases, they are tireless readers.
“Many times, when I was with the cattle, I made the mistake of reading and the sheep went into the field. Then the guard arrived and said: "You don't see where the sheep are, they are eating the crops" (...) I have read everything I could and I have also written a lot" (Man, 100 years old).
They show gratitude and are able to enjoy the little everyday things.
“Life has given me everything, thank God. He has given me trouble, like losing family members, but I haven't had a bad time” (Woman, 100 years old).
Despite the difficulties (difficult childhoods, loss of loved ones, the Civil War, Covid...), they have known how to move forward with their lives and, in some cases, redirect them. Above all, they have not been psychologically damaged by the experience of adversity.
“I was very close to my wife. When she died, I was 97 years old and my daughter thought she wouldn't get over it. At first I was bad, but then I thought that you only live once and that you have to be strong, that my wife wouldn't like to see me bad” (Man, 101 years old).
They have been able to take on challenges for which they had no express training and have overcome them successfully. They love to learn and are curious. Their conversation is fast, agile and they have a good memory. They know how to read and write – some without having gone to school – and have adapted and directed their lives towards paths that satisfied them.
“For twenty years I was president of the Agrarian Chamber [he never had specific training]” (Male, 100 years old).
This article was originally published on The Conversation. Mª Dolores Merino Rivera is a professor of Differential Psychology, and of Psychological Well-being and Occupational Health at the Complutense University of Madrid.
