Systematic study of the cultural belief in a relationship between mental health and longevity has not been undertaken. No scale to measure ‘mental activity’ appears available. A questionnaire measuring ‘mental activity’ was administered to 166 community respondents. From a factor analysis 4 clear factors emerged. Factor scores were significantly correlated with scores on life-satisfaction, but few relationships with subscales of a health measure emerged. Some relationships with choice of free-time activities were noted. Further work on the scale and its correlates is recommended.
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