The Effect of High and Low Life Purpose on Ikigai (a Meaning for Life) among Community-Dwelling Older People—A Cross-Sectional Study

Tsuzishita, Souma; Wakui, Tadaaki

doi:10.3390/geriatrics6030073

Cited by 8 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 12 publications

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“…Although the ikigai-9 scale does not specify a determination of ikigai levels based on score, we do note that scores tended to be high, with 33 participants scoring between 35 and 45 (the maximum); all survey participants’ scores averaged 37.1 (SD = 5.7). For comparison, previous literature found the average ikigai -9 score to be 29.7 (SD = 6.3) for one sample of Japanese OAs ( Seko and Hirano, 2021 ), while another found it to be 33.9 for a “high life purpose” group of community-dwelling OAs in Japan ( Tsuzishita and Wakui, 2021 ).…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 92%

Finding ikigai: How robots can support meaning in later life

et al. 2022

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Previous research in human-robot interaction has explored using robots to increase objective and hedonic aspects of well-being and quality of life, but there is no literature on how robots might be used to support eudaimonic aspects of well-being (such as meaning in life). A sense of meaning has been shown to positively affect health and longevity. We frame our study around the Japanese concept of ikigai, which is widely used with Japanese older adults to enhance their everyday lives, and is closely related to the concept of eudaimonic well-being (EWB) known in Western countries. Using a mixed-methods and exploratory approach, including interviews with 17 older adults and the collection of 100 survey responses, we explored how older adults in the US experience a sense of meaning, and if and how a social robot could be used to help foster this sense. We find that meaning for older adults is often obtained by helping others, through family connections, and/or through activities of daily life, and that sources of meaning often differ based on the older adults’ living situation. Assessing how meaning compares to happiness and social connection, we highlight general similarities and differences, and also find that living situation influences older adults’ sources of happiness, desire for social connection, and barriers to well-being., in addition to companionship and happiness having a weaker correlation with meaning for those who live alone than for those who live with others. Additionally, we evaluated initial perceptions of a social robot (QT) meant to enhance ikigai and overall well-being. Finding mostly positive perceptions, though those who live alone also reported being less willing to adopt a social robot into their homes. Using both data collected on older adults’ meaning and the potential use of QT to support meaning, we make several design recommendations with regards to using robots to enhance ikigai, such as by prompting daily reflecting, enhancing family bonds, and suggesting new experiences and volunteer opportunities.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 92%

Finding ikigai: How robots can support meaning in later life

et al. 2022

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“…Survey participants’ ikigai-9 scores averaged 28.38 (SD 6.08; range 13-44). Although the ikigai-9 scale does not specify the determination of ikigai levels based on score, previous literature found the average ikigai-9 scores for a sample of Japanese older adults to be 29.7 (SD 6.3) [ 55 ], whereas another found it to be 33.9 for a “high life purpose” group of community-dwelling older adults in Japan [ 92 ]. Scores here, therefore, are likely consistent with those of “average” Japanese older adults and represent participants having a wide range of ikigai.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Understanding the Connection Among Ikigai, Well-Being, and Home Robot Acceptance in Japanese Older Adults: Mixed Methods Study

Randall,

Kamino,

Joshi

et al. 2023

JMIR Aging

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Background Ikigai (meaning or purpose in life) is a concept understood by most older adults in Japan. The term has also garnered international attention, with recent academic attempts to map it to concepts in the Western well-being literature. In addition, efforts to use social and home robots to increase well-being have grown; however, they have mostly focused on hedonic well-being (eg, increasing happiness and decreasing loneliness) rather than eudaimonic well-being (eg, fostering meaning or purpose in life). Objective First, we explored how Japanese older adults experience ikigai and relate these to concepts in the Western well-being literature. Second, we investigated how a home robot meant to promote ikigai is perceived by older adults. Methods We used a mixed methods research design—including 20 interviews with older adults, a survey of 50 older adults, and 10 interviews with family caregivers. For interviews, we asked questions about older adults’ sources of ikigai, happiness, and social support, along with their perception of the robot (QT). For surveys, a number of well-being scales were used, including 2 ikigai scales—ikigai-9 and K-1—and 6 Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System scales, measuring meaning and purpose, positive affect, satisfaction with participation in social roles, satisfaction with participation in discretionary social activities, companionship, and emotional support. Questions related to the perception and desired adoption of the robot and older adults’ health status were also included. Results Our results suggest that health is older adults’ most common source of ikigai. Additionally, although self-rated health correlated moderately with ikigai and other well-being measures, reported physical limitation did not. As opposed to social roles (work and family), we found that ikigai is more strongly related to satisfaction with discretionary social activities (leisure, hobbies, and friends) for older adults. Moreover, we found that older adults’ sources of ikigai included the eudaimonic aspects of vitality, positive relations with others, contribution, accomplishment, purpose, and personal growth, with the first 3 being most common, and the hedonic aspects of positive affect, life satisfaction, and lack of negative affect, with the first 2 being most common. However, the concept of ikigai was most related to eudaimonic well-being, specifically meaning in life, along the dimension of significance. Finally, we found that Japanese older adults have high expectations of a home robot for well-being, mentioning that it should support them in a multitude of ways before they would likely adopt it. However, we report that those with the highest levels of meaning, and satisfaction with their leisure life and friendships, may be most likely to adopt it. Conclusions We outline several ways to improve the robot to increase its acceptance, such as improving its voice, adding functional features, and designing it to support multiple aspects of well-being.

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“…Individuals with a sense of purpose and meaning in life tend to have higher well-being than those lacking such a perspective (Krok, 2018). The application of IKIGAI appears to assist individuals in finding meaning in life (Tsuzishita & Wakui, 2021). Other research by Mori et al (2017) asserts that IKIGAI not only reflects the psychological factors of an individual but also signifies their motivation to live, as IKIGAI is described with joy, well-being, and an awareness of the values present in life.…”

Section: Figure 1 Mean Pretest and Posttestmentioning

confidence: 96%

Empowering Adolescents in Orphanages: Unveiling Life Meaning Through Ikigai Training

Huwae,

Srituka,

Meisya

et al. 2023

CIJGC

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The challenges faced by adolescents growing up in orphanages have provided valuable life lessons and shaped their identities across physical, psychological, spiritual, and social dimensions. However, many orphaned teenagers experience a sense of meaninglessness due to the loss of hope for developing into quality individuals. This issue poses risks to their daily living necessities. Therefore, the provision of a tool, such as IKIGAI training, is essential to facilitate orphaned adolescents in finding meaning in life. The aim of this research is to assess the effectiveness of IKIGAI training in discovering life meaning among adolescents in the Salatiga orphanage. The research employs a quantitative experimental design with a one-group pretest-posttest design. Ten participants from the Salatiga orphanage were involved using purposive sampling. The study includes an IKIGAI training module and the Meaning in Life Questionnaire (MLQ) to measure pretest and posttest values of life meaning. Data analysis involves the Wilcoxon Signed Rank test. The results demonstrate that IKIGAI training effectively assists orphaned adolescents in finding meaning in life (Z value of 2.848 and significance of 0.000; p < 0.05). This indicates that the discovery of life's meaning is crucial for adolescents, contributing to a sense of worth, creative life values, learning from past experiences, and planning future life goals a significance attributed to the application of IKIGAI in daily life.

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The Effect of High and Low Life Purpose on Ikigai (a Meaning for Life) among Community-Dwelling Older People—A Cross-Sectional Study

Cited by 8 publications

References 12 publications

Finding ikigai: How robots can support meaning in later life

Finding ikigai: How robots can support meaning in later life

Understanding the Connection Among Ikigai, Well-Being, and Home Robot Acceptance in Japanese Older Adults: Mixed Methods Study

Empowering Adolescents in Orphanages: Unveiling Life Meaning Through Ikigai Training

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