Civic Participation as a Promoter of Well-Being: Comparative Analysis among European Countries

Abstract

Previous research on the direction of the relationship between civic participation and well-being has evidenced that civic participation is a promoter of well-being among older adults in Europe. Accordingly, the objective of the present study is to identify and analyze the differences between European welfare systems regarding both civic participation and well-being. For this purpose, a logistic multilevel regression analysis was performed as an empirical strategy, using the cross-sectional data from the 9 waves of the European Social Survey (2002–2018). Significant differences in well-being were observed, with Anglo-Saxon elders being the healthiest, and the Nordic the happiest and most satisfied with their lives. In contrast, Eastern European seniors reported the lowest levels of well-being. Also, Nordic countries are the most civically engaged, followed by the Continental and Anglo-Saxon, while Mediterranean and Eastern countries engage the least. However, the impact of civic participation on well-being is strongest for the Mediterranean countries, while its impact on satisfaction and happiness is weakest for the Nordic countries. The 3 models of the multilevel analysis indicate that civic participation has a positive impact on health, happiness and life satisfaction, and that this effect is quite robust. Also, by adding country-level macro variables to the model, it is possible to reduce the random effects and hence to better explain these international differences. Concisely, the impact of civic participation on the well-being of the elderly differs across nations and should therefore be considered by policy makers.

The negative impact of poor health on civic participation in older adults of the Baltic countries

“…These research results can provide valuable information for stakeholders, policymakers, and practitioners who aim to ensure opportunities for a pro-social life for older people, one of the most effective guarantors of personal well-being in old age [9,40]. The results call for special attention to those in poor health.…”

Human values, civic participation, and wellbeing: analysis on their relationship among older Europeans

“…The global trend of an aging population raises the question as to what strategies can help older people achieve the highest possible levels of wellbeing, as well as benefiting their communities from more participatory and democratic processes. Civic engagement has provided evidence of being part of the active and healthy aging paradigm and of promoting such wellbeing among older Europeans ( Vega-Tinoco et al, 2021 , 2022 ). Human values, as reflected in the theory proposed by Schwartz (1992) , provide some insight into what motivates such participation, as well as their relationship with wellbeing.…”

“…Likewise, the current extension of physical and mental wellness in old age facilitates the civic participation of people aged 65 and over. As already evidenced by the multiple benefits of volunteering (see Haski-Leventhal, 2009 ; Wray-Lake et al, 2017 ; Proulx et al, 2018 ), civic participation is also a potential resource for promoting the wellbeing of older people ( Wray-Lake et al, 2017 ; Serrat et al, 2020 ; Vega-Tinoco et al, 2021 , 2022 ). It is therefore important to understand what motivates such participation.…”

The Psychological Well-Being and Civic Engagement of Polish, Croatian and Lithuanian Academic Students during COVID-19 Outbreak

“…That means that a high, or even average level of well-being is a protective factor, while students with low well-being cope significantly worse, statistically. The results of other studies indicate that people with low well-being are not only statistically significantly different from those with medium and high scores, but also that those who report low well-being are more susceptible to a larger increase through participation, so such activities would have a greater impact on their functioning compared to people with high and medium well-being levels [ 71 , 72 ].…”