Toxic Relationships Linked to Faster Aging

Study finds 'hassler' relationships can result in chronic stress and accelerated biological aging.

Published on Mar. 9, 2026

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New research suggests that negative relationships with 'hasslers' - people who regularly create problems or make life harder - can speed up biological aging. The study found that for each additional hassler someone interacts with regularly, their biological aging pace ticks up by about 1.5%, translating to aging roughly 1.015 'biological years' for every calendar year if there's at least one extra hassler in the mix. The researchers say hasslers function as chronic stressors, activating the body's stress response and triggering inflammation, which over time leads to cumulative biological wear and tear.

Why it matters

This study highlights the significant health impacts that toxic relationships can have, beyond just emotional and mental wellbeing. By linking difficult interpersonal interactions to accelerated aging at the cellular level, it underscores the importance of setting boundaries, limiting time with persistently stressful people, and building up supportive connections for overall longevity.

The details

Researchers surveyed more than 2,000 Indiana adults about their social circles over the previous six months, including how often specific people hassled them or caused stress. Participants also provided saliva samples, which were tested for epigenetic markers linked to biological aging. The team found that certain groups were more likely to report hasslers, including women, people in poorer health, and those with adverse childhood experiences. Many hasslers turned out to be close contacts like parents, children, co-workers, and roommates.

  • The study was funded by the National Institute on Aging and published in PNAS in 2026.

The players

Byungkyu Lee

The lead author of the study and a researcher at New York University.

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What they’re saying

“Hasslers function as chronic stressors, activating the body's stress response, releasing cortisol and triggering inflammation, which, over time, leads to cumulative biological wear and tear.”

— Byungkyu Lee, Researcher (London Times)

The takeaway

This study underscores the importance of maintaining healthy, supportive relationships and setting boundaries with persistently stressful people in order to mitigate the negative health impacts of toxic interpersonal dynamics, including accelerated biological aging.