Differences in individual life path choices affecting life expectancy and health in Russia

Abstract

In this study we examined 100 pairs of monozygotic (MZ) twins to determine if lifestyle differences between control and experimental twins affected lifespan and health. We used the twin database of the Russian Humanitarian Scientific Foundation. The dependent variables were the difference in lifespan and the number of socially significant diseases between control and experimental twins. The independent variables were the differences within different psychosocial factors (education, family, children, career, prosocial behavior, religiousness, residence, relocations) between control and experimental twins. Using the ANOVA test, we obtained that career (F=11.12, p=0.000), education (F=3.272, p=0.042), living in a large city (F=6.674, p=0.008), having family (F=3.926, p=0.023) and relocations (F=3.757, p=0.046) increased lifespan. For women, one of the most significant positive factors that increased lifespan was education (F=5.992, p=0.005). For men, relocation (F=7.835, p=0.027) was one of the most significant factors that increased lifespan. Having family significantly reduced the number of socially significant diseases (F=3.477, p=0.035). Although this study represents statistically significant data showing that distinct lifestyles have different effects on lifespan and health, future studies with a database of a larger amount of MZ twin pairs are needed to confirm this data.