Lifespan Research Foundation

The Lifespan Research Foundation was established to promote and use lifespan research to enable people to live healthier lives filled with meaning, connection and purpose. The Foundation builds on decades of studies to provide robust answers to the question – What promotes human thriving? Partnering with scientists, organizations, health professionals, and policy-makers, the foundation conducts research and disseminates information and programs for individuals and workplaces that promote adaptive adult development. The Foundation was created by Dr. Robert Waldinger, Harvard psychiatrist and director of the longest-running longitudinal study of adult life, to disseminate the findings of the Harvard Study of Adult Development and other research on how to address fundamental human challenges, including the search for meaning, and thriving relationships. Lifespan research demonstrates that: The conditions of human thriving are knowable, and much suffering is preventable. Life-affirming human connections foster better physical health and greater emotional well-being. Finding meaning and purpose throughout the lifespan is critical for human flourishing. Understanding life stages and the human life cycle empowers us to bring greater perspective and wisdom to the choices we make. Challenges are inevitable, and certain strategies for coping help people reduce stress, foster well-being, and facilitate adaptation to change.