Possible Link Found Between Tenacity and Well-Being

The most recent study, published in the latest issue of Psychological Science, followed the well-being of teenagers for one year. During that time, individuals who persisted in obtaining hard to reach goals had higher levels of a protein called CRP, an indicator of bodily inflammation.

Studies have recently linked inflammation to several serious diseases including diabetes and heart disease. This indicates that healthy, but overly tenacious teenagers may already be headed toward chronic illness later in life. Lead psychologists suggest that stepping away from a lofty goal may have benefits.

They claim, "When people are faced with situations in which they cannot realize a key life goal, the most adaptive response for physical and mental health may be to disengage from this goal." Additionally, both groups were found to have a greater sense of purpose and mastery when they were able to disengage from an imposing goal and set new ones.