Bill

What came to mind when you talk about the attorneys that are wonderfully healthy while they are beating up folks.  There is an insightful study that was done which compares the health and longevity of orchestra conductors with the health and longevity of members of the orchestra.  They found that the conductor lived much longer than the orchestra members. They have fewer health problems than member of the orchestra. This had something to do with locus of control.  So, it is like the attorney. The conductors have considerable control over the score, interpretations, etc.—while members of the orchestra are just sitting there saying “how do we work with the next conductor for whom we are going to play?”  They can fight back—there is the Montreal Symphony where members of the orchestra got their demanding conductor fired.  But it is rare.  The relationship between stress and control is important. Robeert Sapolsky talks a lot about this relationship.  The amount of control you have –perceived or actual—relates directly to the matter of health.  I suspect that scores on the Hardiness Index are corelated with (related to) the Locus of Control measures.

Mark

I did read that loss of control is hugh.  I saw a survey thirty years ago that used a measure like the Hardiness Index.  The most rewarding careers –most self-fulfilling careers—were those careers where people had the most control.  At the very top of the list were luthiers who make musical instruments.  They completely control their environment.  I have known as a musician a half dozen luthiers and they are absolutely committed to their profession. The first seven to ten years of their life are a struggle. They have invested so much in all of this lath and wood that they feel like they have to proceed. They go through a real down period, and they fail many times. But those that make it through this seven to ten year window have complete control over their life. They are artists. They are in demand. It is a word-of-mouth kind of a deal. And the ones that I have known are the most mellow, calm people I have known. Once you get a reputation, you get to sell an instrument for ten thousand dollars.  But that first ten years or so is a stress sandwich that they are young enough to withstand.

Bill

I would suspect that fairly early in the 20^th Century being a physician would have been gratifying, because you had a fair amount of control. I have written several articles about the shattered covenant experienced by physicians. Many of you went into the field assuming that you were going to have control.  That you were going to have some authority. People were going to respect you. However, increasingly, as you lose that control, then the covenant was shattered. It’s like the people who make the lutes.  You were willing to go through hell in medical school, during your residency, and during your early career because the assumption was that after you went through all of that demanding ritual and accompanying abuse that you were going to have a good life where you are respected, have a lot of control, whatever.  Now, we see that this is no longer the case.  The issue of depression, alcoholism, etc. for physicians is present. How much Hardiness is there for those of you who are physicians?