Harnessing the Therapeutic Power of Volunteering

Alspach, JoAnn Grif

doi:10.4037/ccn2014239

Cited by 6 publications

(8 citation statements)

References 55 publications

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“…Our findings support previous studies,16 18–21 where the performance of volunteering, via the engagement in meaningful occupations, contributes to the construction and maintenance of a new personal or occupational identity. This does not mean that there are no obstacles during the volunteer process.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 91%

“…This is due to the low expectations placed on them and the lack of support in the access to these problems 13. Numerous studies,16–23 describe how people with mental disorders who perform volunteer work, refer that this has a positive effect on their mental health. According to these studies, volunteering is identified as being a meaningful, normalised occupation and as a means for developing new roles to promote their participation and inclusion in society.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…This, in turn, contributes towards their recovery process. Nonetheless, these studies16–23 highlight the need to continue conducting further research in order to deepen our knowledge regarding the meaning and impact of volunteering in people with SMD.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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‘Being normal’ and self-identity: the experience of volunteering in individuals with severe mental disorders—a qualitative study

Pérez-Corrales

Pérez-de-Heredia-Torres

Martínez-Piedrola

et al. 2019

BMJ Open

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ObjectiveThis study sought to explore the views and experiences of a group of people with severe mental disorders (SMDs) who performed volunteer services.DesignA qualitative phenomenological study.SettingCommunity public mental health services of the Community of Madrid and the province of Barcelona (Spain).ParticipantsPurposive sampling techniques were used between September 2016 and April 2017. The inclusion criteria were: individuals aged 18–65 years who participated in volunteer activities during the performance of this study, based on the regulations of volunteer services in Spain and the community of Madrid; a diagnosis of non-organic psychotic disorder (F20.x, F21, F22, F24, F25, F28, F29, F31.x, F32.3 and F33) according to the International Classification of Diseases, 10th Revision; an evolution of ≥2 years; and a moderate to severe dysfunction of global functioning with scores ≤70 in the Global Assessment of Functioning Scale. Ultimately, 23 people with SMD participated in the study with a mean age of 47 years (SD 8.23).MethodsData were collected through in-depth interviews and researcher field notes. A thematic analysis was performed following appropriate guidelines for qualitative research.ResultsTwo main themes emerged to describe the experience of participating in volunteer activities: (1) rebuilding self-identity, based on the participant’s experience of volunteering, of acquiring a new role and a new perceived identity that made them feel valued and respected; and (2) being a so-called normal person with a ‘normal’ life, based on recovering a sense of normality, unmarked by the illness, thanks to daily responsibilities and occupations.ConclusionsQualitative research offers insight into the way people with SMD experience volunteering and may help to improve understanding of the underlying motivations that drive these individuals. These findings may be applied to improve guidance during their process of recovery and subsequent inclusion into society.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 91%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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‘Being normal’ and self-identity: the experience of volunteering in individuals with severe mental disorders—a qualitative study

Pérez-Corrales

Pérez-de-Heredia-Torres

Martínez-Piedrola

et al. 2019

BMJ Open

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“…The beneficial health and well-being outcomes of volunteering are well documented. Among other things, volunteering can improve the physical and mental health of volunteers (Alspach 2014;Fegan and Cook 2014;Salt et al 2017;Yeung et al 2017), provide a positive pathway for those experiencing social isolation (O'Brien et al 2010;South et al 2013), reduce hospital service usage (Kim and Konrath 2016), and help connect services to at-risk groups (Gilbert et al 2018;Harris et al 2015). The intrinsic value of volunteering and the societal benefits that result from increased volunteerism are increasingly recognised by policy makers (O'Donnell et al 2014).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Rapid Review of Barriers to Volunteering for Potentially Disadvantaged Groups and Implications for Health Inequalities

2019

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Despite volunteering being a feature of community life in the UK, differences as to who volunteers are evident. Reporting on a rapid review of the evidence on volunteering and inequalities, the aim of this paper is to provide an overview of the breadth and interconnectedness of barriers to volunteering for potentially disadvantaged groups. Sixty-seven articles were identified, to produce a map of factors affecting volunteer participation. Findings suggest that whilst different demographic groups experience specific barriers to volunteering, there are areas of commonality. Analysis shifts the onus of volunteering away from the level of individual choice (a dominant emphasis in policy and practical discussions around promoting volunteering) and towards the influence of structural factors related to broader exclusionary processes. Those who potentially have the most to gain from volunteering are the least likely to participate. Whilst the benefits of volunteering are increasingly documented by research and championed by policy, there are questions about the success of this approach given that the underlying social inequalities present substantive barriers to volunteering and must be addressed to promote greater access.

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“…His G2BG Rx of 100 hours, a year of volunteer work, is indeed a win-win—as volunteering is a version of paying it forward that pays dividends back. 1 Dr Post asserts that no other behavioral intervention is as beneficial. Although we may not yet be able to definitively draw that conclusion, it certainly appears that volunteering—beyond contributing directly to community well-being—directly boosts well-being in numerous other domains.…”

Section: The Opening Commentary By Sara S Johnson Phdmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Art of Health Promotion ideas for improving health outcomes

Johnson

2017

Am J Health Promot

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W hat is the essence of a good life? Aristotle tells us that it is ''to serve others and to do good.'' In this issue of The Art of Health Promotion, Dr Stephen Post supports his bold recommendation for a universal prescription to do just that with a comprehensive review of the literature on the benefits of volunteering. His G2BG Rx of 100 hours, a year of volunteer work, is indeed a win-win-as volunteering is a version of paying it forward that pays dividends back. 1 Dr Post asserts that no other behavioral intervention is as beneficial. Although we may not yet be able to definitively draw that conclusion, it certainly appears that volunteering-beyond contributing directly to community well-being-directly boosts well-being in numerous other domains. These findings support Gallup's assertion that the domains of well-being are interdependent and reinforce one another. 2 Dr Post's review clearly highlights a myriad of benefits to physical and emotional well-being for individuals of all ages. The review also cites the heightened sense of purpose experienced by cardiac patients who volunteer. Fortunately, that effect is much more universal. Volunteering is routinely credited for enhancing one's sense of purpose and meaning. 1,3 Perhaps that's in part because it can also contribute to career well-being 3 by facilitating the exploration of new fields, the development of new skills, the accumulation of experience, 1,3 improvement in communication skills, and increased cultural sensitivity. 4 Volunteering makes it easier to build a network of contacts or find a job 1,3 and can help develop leadership skills. 4 So numerous are the benefits that some employers are finding that offering opportunities to volunteer provides a business edge by increasing employee retention. 4 There are also numerous ways in which volunteering can enhance social well-being-it provides opportunities to meet new people, establish friendships, be a role model for others, and obtain more social support. 1,3 Volunteers report better social networks, enhanced feelings of belonging, 5 and better family functioning. 1 Horoszowski 5 emphasizes that volunteering increases empathy, which can enhance life satisfaction. Barbara Fredrickson's broaden and build theory of positive emotions and its extension, the Upward Spiral Model of LifeStyle Change, 6 may also provide a partial explanation for the reasons volunteering is so beneficial. It turns out that giving time actually increases one's perception of having time (or ''time affluence'') 7-in part because by giving, people feel more confident, useful, and capable-which leads them to believe they can accomplish more in the future. These findings are very consistent with the notion that the relationship between positive emotions and psychological resources is in fact reciprocal, creating an upward spiral dynamic that may well increase the overall propensity for a host of other positive behaviors in addition to increasing the likelihood of continuing to volunteer. Fredrickson 6 saw similar effects for loving-k...

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Harnessing the Therapeutic Power of Volunteering

Cited by 6 publications

References 55 publications

‘Being normal’ and self-identity: the experience of volunteering in individuals with severe mental disorders—a qualitative study

‘Being normal’ and self-identity: the experience of volunteering in individuals with severe mental disorders—a qualitative study

A Rapid Review of Barriers to Volunteering for Potentially Disadvantaged Groups and Implications for Health Inequalities

The Art of Health Promotion ideas for improving health outcomes

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