The Engage-Disengage Model as an Inclusive Model for the Promotion of Healthy and Successful Aging in the Oldest-old

Gonot-Schoupinsky, Freda; Garip, Gülcan; Sheffield, David

doi:10.1080/01924788.2021.1970892

Cited by 22 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 61 publications

(62 reference statements)

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“…I returned to academia, after degrees in precomputer days, to study health psychology. Having recently lost my 85-year-old father to complications following a fall, my focus was healthy aging and the oldest-old (Gonot-Schoupinsky, Garip, and Sheffield 2022). A lady in her 90s confided that reduced mobility and social contact meant she hardly ever laughed.…”

Section: Results and Discussion: Our Reflectionsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Is Laughter Really the Best Medicine? Reflecting on a Mental Health Initiative Using Pragmatic Collaborative Autoethnography

Gonot-Schoupinsky,

Neal,

Carson

2023

Journal of Applied Social Science

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This article relates to the potential of applied laughter in social science. Here, we explore the “Laughie Challenge Australia.” This community-based mental health initiative aims to get Australians laughing. We invite its instigator to discuss it, using a pragmatic qualitative research approach, Invited Collaborative Autoethnography (ICAE). Our purpose is to gain insight into the rationale and practicalities of using laughter to alleviate community mental health issues. Thus, we use ICAE instrumentally as a discourse platform to build understanding through joint narrative with a view of facilitating laughter community-science research collaborations. We recount the “story” of the Laughie Challenge, and the meeting of two academics and a community laughter leader, with a shared interest in the healing power of laughter and “real-world” laughter applications. ICAE enabled transparent, in-depth discourse. It has resulted in citizen science research to further advance knowledge in this area.

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Section: Results and Discussion: Our Reflectionsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Is Laughter Really the Best Medicine? Reflecting on a Mental Health Initiative Using Pragmatic Collaborative Autoethnography

Gonot-Schoupinsky,

Neal,

Carson

2023

Journal of Applied Social Science

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“…On a theoretical level, our findings suggest that existing models of ageing do not relate well to the oldest-old; activity theory [ 66 ] purports that older adults are most happy when active, failing to take into account that some activities may be limited by frailty in the oldest-old [ 67 ], whilst disengagement theory [ 68 ] suggests that older adults seek to reduce their social connections and activities as they get older. A recent study [ 69 ] presents an alternative ‘engage-disengage model’ for use in the oldest-old that, whilst recognising that many activities may no longer be achievable for frailer populations, prioritizes engaging in behaviours and activities that can improve well-being and quality of life, and disengaging from those that do not or are no longer achievable. Findings from our study support the use of such a model for frail older adults experiencing mood disorders, as participants adapted their activities in accordance with their frailty, whilst simultaneously also prioritizing maintaining social connections and a sense of independence.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Self-management of depression and anxiety amongst frail older adults in the United Kingdom: A qualitative study

Nair

Walters

et al. 2022

PLoS ONE

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Objectives Depression and anxiety are common in frail older people and are associated with high levels of morbidity and mortality, yet they typically face greater barriers to accessing mental health treatments than younger people and express preferences for self-managing their symptoms. This study aims to explore frail older adults’ experiences of self-managing symptoms of depression and/or anxiety. Design Qualitative semi-structured interviews, exploring experiences of depression and/or anxiety, ways participants self-managed these and the contexts within which this took place. Interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim. Participants 28 frail older adults in the United Kingdom, purposively sampled for neighbourhood, frailty and symptoms of anxiety/depression. Analysis Thematic analysis to inductively derive themes from the data. Results Our findings suggest that frail older adults find maintaining independence, engaging in meaningful activities, and socialising and peer support important for self-managing depression and anxiety. These could all be adapted to the level of frailty experienced. Drawing on life experiences, addressing the perceived cause and faith were helpful in some situations and for some personalities. Distraction and avoidance were helpful for more severe symptoms or where the causes of symptoms could not be resolved. Self-management strategies were less well-established for anxiety symptoms, especially when linked to newer health fears and worries about the future. Conclusions Developing services and sources of information that support and facilitate key therapeutic components of self-management, which align with older adults’ preferred coping styles and take into account levels of frailty, may be a way of supporting frail older people waiting for mental health treatments or those who prefer not to access these. Greater awareness of anxiety and how it can be self-managed in frail older people is needed.

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“…Mental health issues are at an all-time high, having risen substantially since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic (World Health Organisation, WHO, 2022). As highlighted in a case study on laughter and mental health (Neal and Gonot-Schoupinsky, 2022) despite this being “no laughing matter”, laughter may be one way to fight back. Here, we continue our investigation to consider how humour and humour-induced laughter (also known as mirthful laughter) can be harnessed as an effective and accessible way to support mental health and social inclusion.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Humour and mental health: a case study of Arthur Asa Berger

Berger

Gonot-Schoupinsky

2022

MHSI

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Purpose This paper aims to elicit insight on how humour may support mental health from Arthur Asa Berger, Professor Emeritus at San Francisco State University, author of more than 150 articles and 90 books, many on humour and humorous artist. Design/methodology/approach This case study, followed by a 10-question interview, intentionally embraces visual autobiography to present Arthur’s creative humorous contributions. Findings Arthur conveys the importance of humour, not so much from joke-telling, which can be problematic, but in fun conversations, witty remarks and puns. We learn of his 45 humour techniques, and ways to apply humour in teaching, writing and drawing for therapeutic benefit. Research limitations/implications This is a personal narrative, albeit from someone who has been academically and personally involved with humour for over 60 years. Practical implications Evidence of the benefits of humour for mental health is mounting. Appreciating and harnessing humour, including with the 45 humour techniques, whenever you can, is recommended. Social implications Humour supports relationship building and social inclusion. Social humour is best when it amuses others, offers positive insights into social relationships and is life affirming to both the humourist and their audience. Originality/value To the best of the authors’ knowledge, Arthur was the first to publish a PhD dissertation on a comic strip and has been at the vanguard of humour application in teaching, academic writing, drawing, popular comedy and humorous murder mysteries for decades. Arthur will be 90 years old in 2023.

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The Engage-Disengage Model as an Inclusive Model for the Promotion of Healthy and Successful Aging in the Oldest-old

Cited by 22 publications

References 61 publications

Is Laughter Really the Best Medicine? Reflecting on a Mental Health Initiative Using Pragmatic Collaborative Autoethnography

Is Laughter Really the Best Medicine? Reflecting on a Mental Health Initiative Using Pragmatic Collaborative Autoethnography

Self-management of depression and anxiety amongst frail older adults in the United Kingdom: A qualitative study

Humour and mental health: a case study of Arthur Asa Berger

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