Association of Strength of Community Service to Personal Wellbeing

Abstract

To assess the impact of community service on personal wellbeing in a mid-west church-based population. A prospective survey evaluating: self-reported community service, the perceived benefit of the service and its association to personal wellbeing. 309 participants were included of whom 92 % were employed full or part time, homemakers or students. Those who served in some capacity had better scores on five Wellbeing questions including: contentment, peace, joy, purpose and community acceptance (P < 0.02), but not better self-perceived mental or physical health (P > 0.05). People who served had a better combined Wellbeing score than those who could not serve (P = 0.03). A higher number of hours served/week was associated with better Global Wellbeing (P = 0.02). The greatest perceived benefit of service was related to enhancing wellbeing of others and the service organization itself (P < 0.0001). Church going adults, who are serving in some capacity in their church or community, may demonstrate heightened personal wellbeing compared to those who are not assisting others.

Do Course-Based Service Learning Programs Offer More Benefits to Students than Non-Course-Based Programs? The Research Says “Yes”

“…In turn, low life satisfaction is associated with increased levels of social and psychological problems while high levels of life satisfaction are positively associated with higher levels of social and psychological well-being (Park, 2004). Participation in non-course-based community service has been found to act as a moderating variable between high and low scores on multiple measures of positive well-being (MacIlvaine, Nelson, Stewart, & Stewart, 2014). Adolescents participating in community service evidenced higher levels of positive well-being when compared to those not participating in community service (Park, 2004).…”