Assertive Thinking May Bring Beneficial Human Relationship in The Light of Psychosomatic Medicine and Hinohara-Ism

Uchida Y, Bando H, Nishikiori Y, Bando M and Yoshioka A

Published on: 2025-04-21

Abstract

Primary care (PC) and Psychosomatic medicine (PM) have been more crucial for our society. A respected doctor, Shigeaki Hinohara, had developed PC and PM 60 years ago in Japan. For better QOL and well-being of the elderly, he established New Elderly Association (NEA), and taught fundamental medical philosophy as Hinohara-ism to many people. Authors have managed Shikoku division of NEA for years, and dealt with some forum for anti-aging. Mutual human relationship would be important, in which assertive, non-assertive and aggressive types are found. Among them, assertive communication can lead to satisfactory status with coordination, synchronization, well-being and happiness.

Keywords

Psychosomatic medicine (PM); Assertive communication; New Elderly Association (NEA); Hinohara-ism; Shigeaki Hinohara

Commentary

Concerning the medical philosophy, three supreme doctors have been known. They are Schweitzer, Sir Osler and Dr. Hinohara [1]. Shigeaki Hinohara had developed primary care (PC) medicine, general internal medicine, music therapy and introduction to medicine and respected by people for years. His philosophy “Hinohara-ism” was announced through various activities of New Elderly Association (NEA). NEA has been a large association for the elderly to have satisfactory physical and psychological lives from anti-aging point of view. As Shikoku division of NEA, authors have continued various educational program of forum and workshop [2,3] (Figure 1).

Figure 1: Meeting of NEA Shikoku division for future activities

                a: Hinohara, b: Uchida and c: Bando for authors.

                d, e & others: Shikoku, Tokyo and SSA members.

Dr. Hinohara has worked in Saint Luke International Hospital, Tokyo, until 105 years old. He has continued his novel challenge throughout his life, started the face book at the age of 100 leading to published related-book [4]. NEA has regional division and internet section branch as a Smart Senior Association (SSA) division [5]. SSA was formerly selected as the ideal model in the world, in which continuous and satisfactory internet activities have been found by the elderly people using face book. When he died at the age of 105, New York times has announced the obituaries on July 26, 2017 as “he taught Japan how to live long, dies at 105”. His philosophy has been gradually more prevalent through various route of medial papers, books, internet and so on. Hinohara had introduced the works of William Osler in the light of medicine and humanity [6].

In 1990’s, Dr. Hinohara had continued the preparation for the novel association, and could establish the NEA in autumn 2000. The reason was that 21st century started Jan 2001 leading to Dec 2100. He summarized the meaningful doctrine of NEA including three parts. They are themes, missions and goals, which may influence the usual behavior, activity, QOL, ADL and the way of the thinking for the elderly people [7] (Table 1).

Table 1: The Doctrine of New Elderly Association (NEA).


Themes

a) to love

b) to initiate

c) to endure

Missions

a) to teach the importance of peace and love to children

Goals

a) to practice favorable lifestyle every day

b) to keep on active role for society and mutual friendships regardless of the age, gender or race

c) to hold hope and faith, maintain the power to endure difficulty, sustain the strong spirit, and comfort those who lost hope

d) to provide love and care for other people around and usually feel gratitude for daily life

e) to recognize that it is always never too late to create something

As relation with NEA and Hinohara-ism, psychosomatic medicine has been evaluated for important medical field. Formerly, Hinohara studied abroad in the United States in the 1950s and learned the latest medical techniques and medical concepts. This included the concept of "psychosomatic medicine," which emphasizes the relationship between the body and the mind [8]. He endeavored to establish the department of psychosomatic medicine at Kyushu University. Successively, Japanese Society of Psychosomatic Medicine (JSPM) was established in 1960 and developed in 1960s to the 1970s. Thus, Dr. Hinohara made several basic roots of medical communities. The author Bando became the chairman of annual meeting of JSPM of Chugoku-Shikoku district in October, 2023. The Congress was successfully over, and psychosomatic medicine has become more required medical area for current stressful society.

Concerning the way of thinking and human relationship, 3 representative types are found. They are i) assertive, ii) non-assertive and iii) aggressive types. They mean that i) I am OK, you are OK, ii) I am not OK, you are OK, iii) I am OK, you are not OK. For endeavoring to become the assertive type, assertive people are able to value both themselves and others. They can express their feelings and thoughts openly and in a way that is appropriate for the situation. They are also considerate enough to allow others to express themselves in the same way. Although opinions may differ, they can exchange opinions, make calm judgments, and search for a solution that satisfies both parties. For the beneficial characteristics of assertive people, they leave a high sense of satisfaction for related people, enrich their relationships, and leave a refreshing impression afterwards [9].?

Among these three types, i) assertive types would be beneficial and recommended [10]. We have to recognize how to become assertive. The crucial point would be to listen carefully to what the other person says [11]. Some examples can be shown in Table 2. When we pay attention to these points every day and continue to do so, our human relationships will surely improve. It will lead to our well-being and happiness with family and colleagues around us.

In summary, some perspectives have been described here concerning NEA, Hinohara-ism, psychosomatic medicine and related matter. Any association includes the human relationship with our coordination, synchronization and communication. Consequently, assertive thinking may bring beneficial human relationship with satisfactory Hinohara-ism philosophy. This information will become hopefully useful reference in the research development, human well-being and happiness.

Table 2: How to become assertive to other people.

1) Listen carefully to what the other person is saying.

2) If you want others to understand you, you must try to understand them.

3) Take an interest in the other person and interpret what they say in their own framework.

4) Look them in the eye, nod, respond, and ask appropriate questions that come naturally.

5) Listen while observing body language (facial expressions, attitude, tone of voice).

6) You listen to the other person's story with calm down without interrupting them.

7) This time, the other person will be willing to listen you with calm down.

Conflict of interest: The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Funding: There was no funding received for this paper.

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