Throw Your Heart into… What? A Call for Engagement that Matters LESLIE R MARTIN, PhD Professor of Public Health, Loma Linda University Research Professor,

Throw Your Heart into… Throw Your Heart into… What? What? A Call for Engagement A Call for Engagement that Mattersthat Matters

LESLIE R MARTIN, PhD

Professor of Public Health,

Loma Linda University

Research Professor,

University of California, Riverside

9TH ANNUAL ART & SCIENCE OF AGING CONFERENCE – FEBRUARY 14, 2014

The Terman Life Cycle Study

Began in 1921 when most of the 1,528 participants were in elementary school

Data have been collected and refined on the subjects' social relations, education, personality, habits, careers, families, mental health, life stress, physical activities, and physical health

Most importantly, we have collected death certificates and coded date and cause of death

Those still living are in their late 90s and 100s

OUR EXTENSION OF TERMAN’S LIFE CYCLE STUDY

Terman: Examined life paths of bright children; not health-focused

Our Study: Person-situation, life-span development patterns and health/ longevity outcomes

Ancel Keys

Photos: (1) portraits: wikipedia.com, University of Minnesota Archives; (2) K-ration: wikipedia.org; (3) Time: Time Archives via stop-trans-fat.com

Shelley Smith Mydans Captured in Manila and interned in Shanghai (WWII)

Photos: (1) portrait: photobucket.com; (2)interview: Carl Mydans/Life Magazine; (3) book jacket: pinoyhistory.com; (4) couple: corbis.co.in

LETLET’’S ASSESSS ASSESS

1. When I work, my productivity is high1 – This is occasionally true of me2 – This is sometimes true of me3 – This is often true of me4 – This is almost always true of me

2. I feel that my work is meaningful1 – Occasionally2 – Sometimes3 – Often4 – Almost always

3. An important goal of my life is to reach the point where I can stop working and relax for a change

1 – It is the most important goal2 – It is a very important goal3 – It is a moderately important goal4 – it is a minor goal


4. My success depends on my efforts, not on luck1 – I feel this way once in a while2 – I feel this way about half the time3 – I often feel this way4 – I almost always feel this way

5. There is a lot I still want to accomplish1 – I’ve accomplished enough and now I can relax2 – There are only a few things I still want to do3 – There are some things I still want to do 4 – Absolutely; I still have many goals

6. In the past decade, I have received special honors or awards1 – No, I am never singled out for special accomplishments2 – No, I am usually not that willing or able to be singled out for

achievement3 – Yes, my efforts and contributions are sometimes specially

recognized4 – Yes, I often receive such recognition


7. In whatever I do, I aspire to excellence much more than do my colleagues

1 – Not really2 – Sometimes3 – Most of the time4 – Definitely

8. Being given promotions, more responsibility, and so on is under the control of people who are in charge, and not under my control

1 – Not at all true2 – Maybe true3 - Probably true 4 – Definitely true

9. I am passionate about the job that I do1 – Not really2 – Partly3 – Mostly4 – Without a doubt

SCORING…SCORING…

Add up your responses…

Your score should fall between 9 and 36 with higher numbers reflecting a greater sense of passion, accomplishment, and control over one’s work (whether paid work or volunteer!)

About 25% of people score above 25 while the lowest 25% will score around 16 and below.

High scorers, despite sometimes feeling overwhelmed by the demands of their work, experience the rewards and satisfaction of a job well done, and may see additional payoffs in terms of longer lives, too.

Social Connections

How do you connect with others?Describe your social networks… and

I don’t mean the

online type!

Photos: (1) couples: iStockphoto/Yuri_Arcurs, miamiurbanleague.org; (2) swim: 1dentalhealthblog.wordpress.com; (3) woods: quiltethnic.com; (4) family: homesforarmy.com


1. How often in a typical month do you talk to a lot of different people at gatherings?

Never1234 or more times

2. How often in the past month have you participated in group meetings or activities (other than work meetings)?Never1234 or more times


3. Of your friends, how many could you definitely call on for help if you needed it?

None1234 or more

4. How many relatives do you see or hear from at least once per month?None1234 or more


5. How many people in your life accept you totally, just as you are?None1234 or more

6. How often in the past month have friends or relatives made you feel loved and cared for?



7. How many people can you count on to help you feel better when you are down in the dumps?

None1234 or more

8. How often in the past month have others talked to you about important decisions they needed to make?Never1234 or more times

LETLET’’S ASSESSS ASSESS9. How often in the past week have you helped others (beyond your partner or children) with tasks they needed to do?


10. How many people– including your children, friends, parents, and neighbors– rely on you t do something important for them every day?

None1234 or more

SCORINGSCORING

Add up your score for items 2 through 10 (#1 is a filler!) Your score should fall between zero and 36.

Scoring below 7 is unusual– most people score in the double digits, and higher numbers (such as above 25) represent strong social support.

SUBSCALES

Add your score for #5, #6, and #7 (feeling cared for)

Add your score for #8, #9, and #10 (helping others)

Add your score for #2, #3, and #4 (network size)

Social Connections

Feeling Connected / Cared For

Network Size

Helping Others


Social Connections

Feeling Connected / Cared For

Network Size

*Helping Others**Helping Others*


OTHER STUDIES CONFIRM THIS POTENT OTHER STUDIES CONFIRM THIS POTENT ASSOCIATIONASSOCIATION

Americans’ Changing Lives study (N=2,681)

Volunteer work enhances:

happiness, sense of control over life

life satisfaction physical health

decreases depression

(Thoits & Hewitt, 2001)

Photos: (1) group of kids – www.cristosalva.com; (2) kids with dog – www.buzzle.com

OTHER STUDIES CONFIRM THIS OTHER STUDIES CONFIRM THIS POTENT ASSOCIATIONPOTENT ASSOCIATION

Alameda County Study (N=6,948)

Volunteers were:

in better physical health, more physically active, and less depressed 20 years later (1974 – 1994)

(Pillemer et al., 2010)

An Australian study (N=1,289) found that volunteering was

related to higher personal and neighborhood well-being

(Mellor et al., 2008)

Photos: (1) cans – American Manufacturing, Inc.; (2) planting a tree – San Antonio Parks and Recreation

OTHER STUDIES CONFIRM THIS POTENT OTHER STUDIES CONFIRM THIS POTENT ASSOCIATIONASSOCIATION

For older people the outcomes can be especially dramatic:

better self-reported health less functional dependency less depression

decreased mortality rates

increased satisfaction with life

(Tang, 2008; Lum & Lightfoot, 2005;

Okun, Yeung, & Brown, 2013)

Photo: Ellis County Friendship (www.elliscountyfriendship.org)

SO, HOW TO ENGAGE?SO, HOW TO ENGAGE?

Identify important characteristics

strengths, weaknesses

interests

Identify opportunities that encompass these

Incorporate engagement in a sustainable way

Documents

Throw Your Heart into… What? A Call for Engagement that Matters LESLIE R MARTIN, PhD Professor of Public Health, Loma Linda University Research Professor,