Volunteering among Japanese older adults: how are hours of paid work and unpaid work for family associated with volunteer participation?

Abstract

As the population ages, older adults are increasingly expected to play multiple productive roles. This study examined how hours of paid or unpaid work were associated with volunteering among older Japanese. Data came from the 2012 National Survey of the Japanese Elderly, a nationwide survey of Japanese aged 60 and older (N = 1,324). We performed multinominal logistic regression analyses to predict volunteering (regular or occasional versus non-volunteer) based on hours of paid work and unpaid work for family consisting of sick/disabled care, grandchild care and household chores. Those who worked moderate hours were most likely to be a regular volunteer while working 150 hours or more per month had a lower probability of volunteering, regardless of whether the work was paid or unpaid. Thus, full-time level work competed with volunteering for both paid and unpaid work for family, but it was more so for paid work. By types of activities, doing household chores and substantial grandchild care were positively associated with volunteering, and the latter complementary relationship was explained by a larger community network among grandparents. Our findings indicate that delaying retirement from full-time paid work may reduce the supply of regular volunteers in the community. Thus, policies to increase part-time work for older adults as well as the types of volunteer work in which paid workers can participate are necessary.

Association between Japanese community health workers’ willingness to continue service and two categories of motives: Altruistic and self-oriented

“…In addition, if as expected Japan’s retirement age rises in the near future, many senior citizens may opt to work for pay rather than to volunteer; which would lead to more limited availability of senior volunteers. To address that challenge, volunteer organizations that rely on seniors may consider offering financial compensation for volunteer participation [ 19 ].…”

“…In addition, as average household size decreases, family members are responsible for a greater share of child care and elderly care duties, which leaves less time for CHW volunteer activity [ 18 ]. Delayed retirement, which is becoming more common in Japan these days, may also reduce the supply of senior volunteers [ 19 ]. Such societal changes are reflected by the decline in volunteer numbers in health-related volunteer institutions in Japan; the number of volunteers working in healthy eating promotion has decreased steadily since its peak in 1998 (220,000) [ 19 ], and the number of maternal health support volunteers decreased from 70,000 in 1993 to 42,000 in 2013 [ 20 , 21 ].…”

“…Delayed retirement, which is becoming more common in Japan these days, may also reduce the supply of senior volunteers [ 19 ]. Such societal changes are reflected by the decline in volunteer numbers in health-related volunteer institutions in Japan; the number of volunteers working in healthy eating promotion has decreased steadily since its peak in 1998 (220,000) [ 19 ], and the number of maternal health support volunteers decreased from 70,000 in 1993 to 42,000 in 2013 [ 20 , 21 ]. A 2017 survey of municipalities in Japan found that volunteers’ short term of service was a serious concern among officials [ 12 ].…”

Retirement and Social Activities in Japan: Does Age Moderate the Association?

“…Regarding volunteering, respondents were asked whether they had participated in four (for the 2002 survey) or six activities (for other surveys) in the past year, such as cleaning up a road or park, or activities for the elderly, handicapped, children, and so on. (Kobayashi et al, 2019). Although there were minor differences in these activities, each survey asked respondents if they had participated in any of the activities and how often they engaged in these activities in the past year.…”

Volunteering in Health Care Context: A Concept Analysis Using Rodger’s Evolutionary Approach

“…However, they have to go through some training for volunteering in several advanced illness conditions such as cancer, stroke, or diabetes mellitus. Volunteering is given freely (Kobayashi et al, 2019); (Papa et al, 2019); (Söderhamn et al, 2012) Volunteering is a long-term planned (Söderhamn et al, 2012); (Studer, 2016) Volunteering is gives a benefit to another individual, group, or organization (Gonella et al, 2019) Volunteering is working in formal organization (Alfes, Antunes, & Shantz, 2017); (Jenkinson et al, 2013); (Söderhamn et al, 2012) Volunteering is a prolonged life activity (Nothwehr & Rohlman, 2019) Antecedents Motivation: internal and external motivation (Gonella et al, 2019); (Hurs, Coyne, Kellettt, & Needham, 2019); (Ormel et al, 2019); (Singh et al, 2016); (Söderhamn et al, 2012); ) Social-demography status: gender, age, occupancy, cultural background, religion (Aranda, Zappala, &Topa, 2019); (Jack et al, 2011); (Komp, Van Tilburg, & Van Groenou, 2012); (McDougle, Handy, Konrath, & Walk, 2014); (Ørtenblad, Vaeggemose, Gissel, & Nissen, 2019); (Vähäkangas, 2014); Philanthropic behavior (Alias & Ismail, 2015) Consequences Consequences for volunteers: change self-perception, increase life satisfaction, decrease stress and depression, prevent poor self-rated health (Fegan & Cook, 2012); (Hsiao et al, 2020); (Papa et al, 2019); (Pérez-Corrales et al, 2019); (Poulin, 2014); (Ramos et al, 2016); (Shen & Khosla, 2016); (Showa et al, 2016); Consequences for the patient: gain the cognitive abilities, be a support system, decrease loneliness. Increase self-care management (Dowling, 2019); (Kim & Konrath, 2017)<...>…”