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New study of 3000 adults connects symbolic immortality to stronger psychological well being

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New study of 3000 adults connects symbolic immortality to stronger psychological well being

Hebrew University of Jerusalem, November 2 2026 (News-Medical)

What does it mean to feel that a part of us will live on after we are gone? A new study of nearly 3,000 adults found that people who believed they would be remembered by others after death tended to report better mental health, a stronger sense of meaning and lower levels of problematic substance use and addictive behaviors. The findings point to a possible link between our sense of lasting significance and the way we cope with stress, uncertainty and mortality.

The study examined what psychologists call "symbolic immortality," the sense that some part of us will continue through our relationships, accomplishments, identity or legacy.Those with a stronger sense of symbolic immortality tended to report greater self-esteem, stronger social support, more meaning in life and more secure relationships. They also reported fewer symptoms of depression, anxiety and post-traumatic stress, fewer sleep problems and fewer difficulties regulating their emotions.

At its core, the idea is simple: people may fare better when they feel that their lives have meaning beyond the present moment. Importantly, the researchers distinguished symbolic immortality from belief in an afterlife. While the two were related, afterlife belief was closely tied to religiosity and belief in God and was not consistently associated with better mental health.

Cold showers benefit the environment and your health