Volunteering and health benefits in general adults: cumulative effects and forms

Jerf W. K. Yeung · Zhuoni Zhang · Tae Yeun Kim

213 citations0/0 files storedBMC Public Health

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Nonprofit Sector and Volunteering Psychological Well-being and Life Satisfaction Tourism, Volunteerism, and Development

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Although the health benefits of volunteering have been well documented, no research has examined its cumulative effects according to other-oriented and self-oriented volunteering on multiple health outcomes in the general adult public. This study examined other-oriented and self-oriented volunteering in cumulative contribution to health outcomes (mental and physical health, life satisfaction, social well-being and depression). METHODS: Data were drawn from the Survey of Texas Adults 2004, which contains a statewide population-based sample of adults (n = 1504). Multivariate linear regression and Wald test of parameters equivalence constraint were used to test the relationships. RESULTS: Both forms of volunteering were significantly related to better health outcomes (odds ratios = 3.66% to 11.11%), except the effect of self-oriented volunteering on depression. Other-oriented volunteering was found to have better health benefits than did self-volunteering. CONCLUSION: Volunteering should be promoted by public health, education and policy practitioners as a kind of healthy lifestyle, especially for the social subgroups of elders, ethnic minorities, those with little education, single people, and unemployed people, who generally have poorer health and less participation in volunteering.

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References

2001Volunteer Work and Well-Being 2002Volunteering and depression: the role of psychological and social resources in different age groups 2003Effects of Volunteering on the Well-Being of Older Adults 2007Being good by doing good: Daily eudaimonic activity and well-being 2004Formal Volunteering as a Protective Factor for Older Adults' Psychological Well-Being 2008Doing well by doing good. The relationship between formal volunteering and self-reported health and happiness 2007Health Benefits of Volunteering in the Wisconsin Longitudinal Study 2012Role-Identity Salience, Purpose and Meaning in Life, and Well-Being among Volunteers

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