Mental health and positive aging: a positive autoethnographic case study of Joyce Shaffer
| Date | 10 April 2024 |
| Pages | 1253-1262 |
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1108/MHSI-03-2024-0046 |
| Published date | 10 April 2024 |
| Subject Matter | Health & social care,Mental health,Social inclusion |
| Author | Joyce Shaffer,Freda Gonot-Schoupinsky |
Mental health and positive aging: a
positive autoethnographic case study of
Joyce Shaffer
Joyce Shaffer and Freda Gonot-Schoupinsky
Abstract
Purpose –The purpose of this paper is to meet Dr Joyce Shaffer, PhD, ABPP, Clinical Associate
Professorat the University of Washington.
Design/methodology/approach –This case study is presented in two sections: a positive
autoethnographywritten by Joyce Shaffer, followedby her answers to ten questions.
Findings –In this positive autoethnography, Shaffer shares herlife story and reveals numerous mental
healthand positive aging recommendations andinsights for us to reflect on.
Research limitations/implications –This is a personal narrative,albeit from someone who has been a
clinicalpsychologist and active in the fieldof aging for many decades.
Practical implications –A pragmatic approachto aging is recommended. According to Shaffer, ‘‘those
of us who can recognize the beatof the historical drummer can harvest the best of it and learn from the
rest of it.’’
Social implications –Positive aging has strong social implications.Shaffer considers that it is not only
about maximizingour own physical, mental, emotional and socialhealth but also about maximizing that of
others,to make our world a better place for everyone.
Originality/value –Positive aging can be experienced despite adversity. As Shaffer says, ‘‘Adversity
used forgrowth and healed by love is the answer.’’
Keywords Positive psychology, Autoethnography, Positive ageing, Positive autoethnography,
Resilience, Laughter
Paper type Case study
1. Introduction
This positive autoethnographic case study with Dr. Joyce Shaffer, Clinical Associate
Professor at the University of Washington, focuses on mental health and positive aging. It
uses positive autoethnography (Gonot-Schoupinsky et al., 2023) and follows on from our
case study series in mental health and laughter and humour (e.g. Ben-Moshe and Gonot-
Schoupinsky, 2023;Morrison etal.,2023;Kataria et al., 2023). Aging affects us all, if we are
lucky, and successful aging has been correlated with increasing resilience and reducing
depression (Jeste et al.,2013). Positive aging embraces psychological adaptation,
optimism and flexibility (Menassa et al., 2023). Here, we learn how Shaffer, despite a
challenging upbringing, developed the resilience and skills to build a career in clinical
psychology. Her particular interest is in ideal aging, the name of her consultancy. She is the
author of three books: Secrets Inside Bones, Brains and Beauty (Shaffer, 2005)about
research to protect yourself from osteoporosis; IdealAging
V
R
: 5 Steps to Keep Your Brain Fit
(Shaffer, 2009) on learning how to build more and better brain cells; and Brain Power: How
You Can Enhance Yours AT ANY AGE (Shaffer, 2015 & updated 2019). She is writing a
fourth on artificial intelligenceand neuroplasticity.
Joyce Shaffer is based at the
Department of Psychiatry,
University of Washington,
Seattle, Washington, USA.
Freda Gonot-Schoupinsky
is based at the Department
of Psychology, University of
Bolton, Bolton, UK.
DOI 10.1108/MHSI-03-2024-0046 VOL. 28 NO. 6 2024,pp. 1253-1262, ©Emerald Publishing Limited, ISSN 2042-8308 jMENTAL HEALTH AND SOCIAL INCLUSION jPAGE 1253
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