As we age, simply being involved in activities – such as educational pursuits, caregiving and volunteering – isn’t enough. It’s the depth of that involvement that counts.

That’s among the most significant findings from a new report by the Sloan Center on Aging and Work at Boston College. The research, titled “Life and Times in an Aging Society Study,” is the first of its kind, according to the center, that looks beyond the idea of participation in various pursuits and seeks to measure levels of engagement: whether individuals “felt enthusiasm, dedication and absorption” in their chosen activities.