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

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

LET’S ASSESS • When I work, my productivity is high 1 – This is occasionally true of me 2 – This is sometimes true of me 3 – This is often true of me 4 – This is almost always true of me 2. I feel that my work is meaningful 1 – Occasionally 2 – Sometimes 3 – Often 4 – 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 goal 2 – It is a very important goal 3 – It is a moderately important goal 4 – it is a minor goal

LET’S ASSESS 4. My success depends on my efforts, not on luck 1 – I feel this way once in a while 2 – I feel this way about half the time 3 – I often feel this way 4 – I almost always feel this way 5. There is a lot I still want to accomplish 1 – I’ve accomplished enough and now I can relax 2 – There are only a few things I still want to do 3 – 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 awards 1 – No, I am never singled out for special accomplishments 2 – No, I am usually not that willing or able to be singled out for achievement 3 – Yes, my efforts and contributions are sometimes specially recognized 4 – Yes, I often receive such recognition

LET’S ASSESS 7. In whatever I do, I aspire to excellence much more than do my colleagues 1 – Not really 2 – Sometimes 3 – Most of the time 4 – 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 true 2 – Maybe true 3 - Probably true 4 – Definitely true 9. I am passionate about the job that I do 1 – Not really 2 – Partly 3 – Mostly 4 – Without a doubt

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

LET’S ASSESS • How often in a typical month do you talk to a lot of different people at gatherings? Never 1 2 3 4 or more times 2. How often in the past month have you participated in group meetings or activities (other than work meetings)? Never 1 2 3 4 or more times

LET’S ASSESS • 3. Of your friends, how many could you definitely call on for help if you needed it? None 1 2 3 4 or more 4. How many relatives do you see or hear from at least once per month? None 1 2 3 4 or more

LET’S ASSESS • 5. How many people in your life accept you totally, just as you are? None 1 2 3 4 or more 6. How often in the past month have friends or relatives made you feel loved and cared for? Never 1 2 3 4 or more times

LET’S ASSESS • 7. How many people can you count on to help you feel better when you are down in the dumps? None 1 2 3 4 or more 8. How often in the past month have others talked to you about important decisions they needed to make? Never 1 2 3 4 or more times

LET’S ASSESS • 9. How often in the past week have you helped others (beyond your partner or children) with tasks they needed to do? Never 1 2 3 4 or more times 10. How many people– including your children, friends, parents, and neighbors– rely on you t do something important for them every day? None 1 2 3 4 or more

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

Social Connections • Feeling Connected / Cared For • Network Size • *Helping Others* Photos: (1) couples: iStockphoto/Yuri_Arcurs, miamiurbanleague.org; (2) swim: 1dentalhealthblog.wordpress.com; (3) woods: quiltethnic.com; (4) family: homesforarmy.com

OTHER STUDIES CONFIRM THIS POTENT ASSOCIATION • 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 POTENT 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 ASSOCIATION • 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? • Identify important characteristics • strengths, weaknesses • interests • Identify opportunities that encompass these • Incorporate engagement in a sustainable way

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