Aspects of formal volunteering that contribute to favourable psychological outcomes in older adults

Abstract

Although there is a large body of evidence documenting the benefits of engagement in formal volunteering among older people, research assessing the specific aspects of the volunteering experience that are associated with these benefits is limited. Accordingly, the objective of this study was to (i) examine the aspects of volunteering that predict improvements or declines in older people's psychological outcomes over time and (ii) assess the extent to which demographic characteristics and time spent engaging in informal volunteering moderate the relationship between aspects of volunteering and potential outcomes. At Time 1, nonvolunteering Australian older adults completed measures assessing their subjective wellbeing, eudemonic well-being, and psychological resources and were asked to commence volunteering. At Time 2 (six months later), participants completed the same measures and reported on their volunteering experiences. Among the 108 older adults who provided usable data at both time points (average age=69.86 years, 64% women), the degree to which participants felt overwhelmed by their volunteer work significantly predicted declines in subjective well-being and psychological resources. The perceived importance of the cause for which participants reported volunteering and the perceived meaningfulness of the specific activities undertaken predicted improvements in these outcomes. Volunteering roles for older adults that (i) are not considered overwhelming, (ii) fulfil their desire to volunteer for a cause about which they are genuinely concerned, and (iii) involve activities perceived to be meaningful are likely to produce the favourable psychological outcomes.

Life Satisfaction and Self-Esteem in Older Adults Engaging in Formal Volunteering: A Cross-Sectional Study in Taiwan

“…Merely joining volunteer organizations without a strong commitment did not appear to enhance well-being [ 23 ]. While the psychological beneficial effects of volunteering on well-being have been extensively documented [ 46 , 47 ], the present study revealed that for those who were already volunteering, engaging in formal volunteering five or more days per week, contributed to greater life satisfaction compared to those engaged in less than five days per week.…”

Az önkéntes munkavégzés mentális és fizikai egészségmutatókkal való összefüggései az empirikus kutatások tükrében – áttekintő tanulmány

“…Ugyanakkor az önkéntesség típusa, helyszíne és az azt végző személy jellemzői is befolyásolják ezen hatásmechanizmust. Fontos azonban hozzátennünk, hogy számos kutatás eredménye utal arra is, hogy azok az idősebb önkéntesek, akik megbecsülést éreznek önkéntes munkájukért, és úgy vélik, hogy erőfeszítéseik hozzájárulnak mások jóllétéhez, nagyobb valószínűséggel számolnak be nagyobb szubjektív jóllétről, mint azok, akik nem érzik így (Jongenelis, Jackson, Warburton, Newton, & Pettigrew, 2022). Emellett az is látható, hogy negyven év fölött számottevően erősebb az önkéntesség és a jóllét kapcsolata, mint az azt megelőző életkori szakaszokban (Tabassum, Mohan, & Smith, 2016).…”

Do Internalized Age Stereotypes Mediate the Relationship Between Volunteering and Self-Efficacy for Adults 50+ Years of Age?

“…The productive aging literature focuses on active engagement with life through volunteerism, continued vocational pursuits, and caregiving (Morrow-Howell & Greenfield, 2016). Volunteering is an activity associated with numerous positive psychosocial health outcomes among older adults, including an increased sense of purpose, life satisfaction, perceived growth (Jongenelis et al, 2021; Morrow-Howell & Greenfield, 2016; Pardasani, 2018), sense of purpose, self-rated health, self-esteem, quality of life, and decreased loneliness, isolation, depression, and functional limitations (Haski-Leventhal, 2009; Hong & Morrow-Howell, 2010; Jongenelis et al, 2021; Lee, 2022; Li & Ferraro, 2006; Morrow-Howell et al, 2003; Morrow-Howell & Greenfield, 2016; Narushima, 2005; Pardasani, 2018; Rozario, 2006; Tan et al, 2006). It is proposed that, similar to the benefits of paid work, volunteering may contribute to positive outcomes due to increased social, physical, and cognitive activity (Fried et al, 2004; Morrow-Howell & Greenfield, 2016).…”