A passion for learning plays a vital role in enhancing the mental health of older adults, according to recent studies.
Research shows that middle-aged and senior individuals who develop new skills bolster their resilience when facing stress and uncertainty. Two independent investigations found that older adults who actively engaged in acquiring new competencies were less prone to feelings of isolation and depression, even during challenging times like the Covid-19 pandemic.
The saying “You’re never too old to learn” holds true. A team of American researchers identified a strong connection between lifelong learning and improved psychological wellbeing during the initial stages of the pandemic. Their findings, published in the journal PLOS Mental Health, underscore the importance of fostering curiosity among older populations and preparing mentally for unexpected life changes.
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Professor Rachel Wu from the University of California, Riverside, the lead researcher, explains: “Learning can be difficult and uncomfortable in the short-term, but that short-term discomfort actually helps protect us in the long run.”
The research involved two studies examining adults aged 19 and older. One group, aged 50 and above, participated in a previous learning intervention designed to boost motivation and capacity for acquiring new skills. Participants tracked the time they spent learning throughout the pandemic and reported changes in mental wellbeing over a 12-month period.
The results were clear: those who engaged in learning activities exhibited better mental health outcomes. Lead author Lilian Azer noted, “People who were actively learning fared better in terms of mental health outcomes, especially older adults who might otherwise have been more vulnerable to isolation and stress.”
Researchers assessed self-reported levels of depression, loneliness, and overall wellbeing. Participants also evaluated their memory, concentration, and everyday decision-making skills. Benefits from learning weren’t immediate; however, after a year, those who had adopted new skills showed stronger resilience to external stressors compared to peers who didn’t.
These discoveries challenge existing theories about aging. Socio-emotional selectivity theory suggests that as people age, they prioritize immediate emotional satisfaction, avoiding discomfort and conflict. While acknowledging this perspective, Prof. Wu warns against focusing solely on short-term pleasure: “Learning new skills is frustrating at first, especially if you haven’t done it in a while. But if we only do what feels good in the moment, we might be giving up the ability to adapt when life throws something big at us.”
The pandemic created a unique opportunity to explore this idea. With traditional education disrupted, older adults took initiative to learn new hobbies and navigate digital platforms independently. Those who persisted in learning, even in informal settings, generally reported better mental health later.
A second study evaluated adults over 58 who had engaged in structured learning activities such as digital photography, drawing, or foreign languages before the pandemic. Compared with peers who hadn’t participated in these programs, the learners demonstrated superior emotional resilience when facing the crisis.
Prof. Wu states, “You want to have the machinery of learning dusted off, so it works when you need it.” She highlights a gap in research since most studies focus on learning in youth, emphasizing the urgent need to examine how skill acquisition impacts adults throughout their lives.
“There’s so little research on how learning affects people after their formal education ends. But we know that if you’re not learning, you’re probably declining, regardless of age,” she adds.
Prof. Wu hopes these insights will inspire targeted educational programs for older adults, stressing that continuous learning may be as crucial for maintaining independence as physical health.
“You don’t want to wait until you have to learn something in a crisis. Seek out challenges. Keep growing. That’s how you stay ready,” she advises.