What influences our sense of ikigai?
In exploring the concept of ikigai, it’s essential to understand how various factors contribute to its experience.
In this episode of the Ikigai Podcast, Nick speaks with Takaharu Goto about the impact of biopsychosocial factors on one’s experience of ikigai.
Podcast Highlights
Publishing a research paper related to ikigai. Takaharu talks about the paper he co-authored, which explores the concept of ikigai in older adults.
Defining biopsychosocial. Takaharu explains what 'biopsychosocial' means.
Understanding ikigai. Takaharu shares how they defined ikigai in their study.
Conducting a cross-sectional study on sarcopenia. Takaharu explains what sarcopenia is and shares the results of the cross-sectional study they conducted on it.
Measuring the level of ikigai. Takaharu shares how they measured the level of ikigai in their research participants.
Findings of the study. Takaharu shares the results of their study.
Creating a biopsychosocial model. Takaharu talks about the biopsychosocial model that they developed in their study.
Correlation between ikigai and depression. Takaharu shares the relationship between ikigai and depression that was found in their study.
Factors contributing to higher levels of ikigai. Takaharu discusses what can contribute to higher levels of ikigai.
Constraints in conducting the study. Takaharu shares several limitations of their study.
Takaharu’s ikigai. Takaharu shares what his ikigai is.
Takaharu Goto
Takaharu Goto is an assistant professor in the Department of Prosthodontics and Oral Rehabilitation at Tokushima University, Japan. He graduated from the Faculty of Dentistry at Tokushima University in 2007 and received his Ph.D. in dentistry from Tokushima University in 2012. His areas of expertise include prosthetic and geriatric dentistry. Additionally, he has contributed to research on ikigai and social frailty from a medical perspective.
Publishing a paper related to ikigai
Takaharu co-authored a paper called Biopsychosocial Consideration of Ikigai in Older Adults in Japan through a Cross-Sectional Study, this study presents findings from a study in Koyadaira, Tokushima Prefecture, Japan. This study, commonly called the Mima-SONGS study, investigates the relationship between healthy life expectancy and factors such as oral health, cognitive and physical functions, social participation, and nutritional intake among older adults in hilly and mountainous regions.
Defining biopsychosocial
“In recent years, the medical field has used this biopsychosocial model, instead of traditional reductionistic biomedical model, to assess the relationship between a patient's biological, psychological, and social factors and the degree to which these factors influence the patient's symptoms. We have found this approach to be very useful in assessing the Ikigai as it relates to a variety of factors.” - Takaharu Goto
Biopsychosocial is an approach that systematically addresses biological, psychological, and social factors and their complex interactions in understanding health, illness, and healthcare delivery. The medical field has adopted this biopsychosocial model over the traditional reductionistic biomedical model to assess how these factors influence a person's symptoms. In their study, Takaharu and his colleagues found this model useful in assessing ikigai in relation to various factors.
Understanding ikigai
In their study, ikigai is defined as a concept involving physical, psychological, and social components. Although it is not clearly determined which component is primary, Takaharu and his colleagues believe that a fundamental sense of fulfilment arises when these components are satisfied. From this foundational fulfilment, deeper elements of purpose and mission develop, leading to the attainment of ikigai.
Conducting a cross-sectional study on sarcopenia
The Mima-SONGS Study is a cross-sectional research project involving 105 outpatients aged 65 and over who regularly visit the Mima Municipal Koyadaira Clinic, the only medical institution in the area. This study focuses on ikigai and also examines sarcopenia, a condition characterised by loss of muscle mass and strength with age.
The research assesses the relationship between sarcopenia, frailty, nutritional status, and overall life functions. Additionally, a related study by co-researcher Mio Kitamura from Tokushima University explored the link between daily fieldwork tasks and physical and cognitive function among the elderly in Koyadaira.
Measuring the level of ikigai
In their study, the level of ikigai was evaluated based on patients' responses to questions of, ‘Do you have any pleasure or ikigai?’ Participants rated their own ikigai on a scale from 0 to 5, where 0 indicated no ikigai and 5 indicated a high level of ikigai.Findings of the study
The findings of their study reveal that affective psychological status, such as depression, significantly impacts ikigai along with physical, cognitive, psychological, and social conditions. It suggests that maintaining a positive psychological status is essential for achieving ikigai.
Creating a biopsychosocial model
Takaharu shares that their study examines how ikigai can be explained in terms of physical, psychological (including affective and cognitive aspects), and social factors using structural covariance analysis. This method employs a numerical value called covariance to model the relationships among multiple interconnected factors.
Using this method, they developed a biopsychosocial model for ikigai, confirming significant correlations between physical, psychological, and social aspects and their impact on ikigai. The study found that affective psychological conditions had the most significant impact on ikigai.
Correlation between ikigai and depression
For affective psychological assessment, Takaharu and his colleagues evaluated the degree of depression using the Japanese short version of the Geriatric Depression-15 Scale (GDS-15). This version, designed for older adults, contains 15 items and is a reliable screening tool for detecting depression.
Each item is scored with a ‘yes’ or ‘no,’ and total scores range from 0 to 15, with higher scores indicating more depression symptoms. Multiple regression analysis, adjusted for age and gender, showed a significant association between GDS-15 scores and ikigai. The results indicate that ikigai is more likely to be present in people with lower levels of depression.
Factors contributing to higher levels of ikigai
“It is appropriate to consider that good affective psychological status is a fundamental condition for having higher levels of ikigai. We believe that by adjusting one’s affective psychological status, one's physical and social status can be improved, and the elements of fulfillment and a sense of mission can be built upon this to contribute to the enhancement of ikigai.” - Takaharu Goto
Maintaining a positive psychological status is essential for achieving higher levels of ikigai. Improving one's affective psychological state can enhance physical and social well-being, which in turn can foster a sense of purpose and mission, thereby increasing ikigai.
Today, Japanese companies are implementing various health management strategies to protect employees' health and ensure long-term company viability. In their study on the elderly, Takaharu and his colleagues highlight the importance of ikigai in work engagement and life purpose. Economically, focusing on ikigai can reduce insurance costs and societal expenses, demonstrating its significant potential.
Constraints in conducting the study
Just like other research studies, Takaharu noted several limitations to their study. First, the participants were a specific group of older adults living in hilly and mountainous regions of Japan, which poses unique limitations such as restricted mobility and limited social and shopping opportunities. These factors, along with the stability of their work and daily lives, differ from those in urban and rural areas.
The study did not account for confounding factors like vision and hearing disorders or educational background, which could also influence ikigai. Another limitation is the assessment of ikigai, which was measured through a self-rating scale from 0 to 5. However, based on prior research, the reliability and validity of this method have not been established.
Ikigai, with its spiritual and subjective aspects, is challenging to assess, and there is no universally applicable assessment tool. Takaharu believes that future studies would benefit from developing a reliable and valid questionnaire for measuring ikigai across different ages and populations.
Takaharu’s ikigai
Takaharu has several sources of ikigai. Spending time with his family, being with his children when he arrives home, and going out with them on holidays are important to him. Additionally, communicating new research findings to society is a key aspect of his ikigai. He aims to live a better life by considering his affective psychological conditions in his daily routine.
Conclusion
Ikigai is a complex concept that goes beyond simply achieving great goals, a common misconception in the West. To truly understand and attain ikigai, a holistic approach considering our biological, psychological, and social aspects is essential. This comprehensive perspective helps us better cultivate a deeper sense of ikigai in our lives.