Older adults seem less emotionally affected by heat, according to new research from Washington State University.
It’s well known that hot weather can make people irritable, but this study found that emotional responses to heat vary widely among individuals. The only consistent factor influencing this was age.
While most people felt discomfort as temperatures rose, which often put them in a bad mood, older adults were different. Though they became uncomfortable more quickly in high heat, their moods were less affected compared to younger adults.
“Older adults have worse thermoregulation, making them more sensitive to heat, but we found they generally showed fewer negative emotions despite feeling more discomfort,” the researchers said.
Increasing with age
The study didn’t explain why, but other research suggests that emotional stability tends to increase with age.
The researchers aimed to explore why high temperatures are linked to increases in violent crime and mental health issues. While the connection is well-known, the reasons are still unclear.
Since negative emotions can lead to aggression, the team investigated the link between heat, physical discomfort, and emotional states like irritability and anxiety. They recruited 400 people from the Chicago area, who used an app to report their comfort and mood during the summer of 2022. The researchers tracked their location and the temperature at the time of each report.
How we feel
Surprisingly, there was no direct link between the actual temperature and emotional states. What mattered more was how hot people felt. Even then, the effect on mood varied by individual. Some people were in high spirits even on 100-degree days.
When discomfort did occur, younger adults were more likely to experience negative emotions in response.
“This shows that for some people, there’s a strong link between heat and negative emotions, which can lead to aggressive behavior,” the researchers said.
Given how much people’s experiences of heat vary, the team believes it will be difficult to directly connect temperature to psychological reactions. Their next step is to test emotional responses to heat in a lab setting.
