Does volunteering improve well-being?

Whillans, Ashley V.; Seider, Scott; Chen, Lihan; Dwyer, Ryan; Novick, Sarah; Gramigna, Kathryn J.; Mitchell, Brittany A.; Savalei, Victoria; Dickerson, Sally S.

doi:10.1080/23743603.2016.1273647

Cited by 30 publications

(19 citation statements)

References 40 publications

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“…Based on Diener et al’s [ 1 ] definition of SWB, a composite measure of SWB was created via the combination of participants’ cognitive (satisfaction with life) and affective (balance between positive affect and negative affect) evaluation of their life using the following formula: SWB = Satisfaction with Life score (from SWLS) + Positive Affect score (from PANAS) − Negative Affect score (from PANAS). This formula has been previously used as a reliable measure of SWB [ 61 , 62 ].…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Interaction of Physical Activity and Personality in the Subjective Wellbeing of Older Adults in Hong Kong and the United Kingdom

Chan

Luciano

Lee

2018

Behavioral Sciences

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Subjective wellbeing (SWB) has been widely accepted as one of the most important elements of successful ageing. The present study explores the impact of two well-established correlates of SWB: physical activity and personality. Physical activity and each of the Big Five personality traits are consistent predictors of SWB, but there has been little research on whether certain personality traits enhance or hinder the psychological benefits of physical activity in older adults. This study examines the interactions of leisure-time physical activity and personality traits on SWB, and whether such interactions vary between older adults in Hong Kong (HK) and older adults in the United Kingdom (UK). Altogether, 349 participants (178 HK, 171 UK; 157 males, 192 female) aged 50 years or above (mean age = 61.84 ± 8.46 years old) completed an online assessment of: (1) leisure-time physical activity (Godin–Shephard Leisure-Time Physical Activity Questionnaire); (2) personality traits (Big Five Inventory); and (3) SWB (Satisfaction with Life Scale, Positive and Negative Affect Schedule). Results showed that agreeableness, conscientiousness, extraversion, neuroticism, openness to experience, and physical activity were all significantly related to SWB in the expected direction. The relationship between physical activity and SWB was moderated by extraversion and by openness to experience: higher levels of these two traits significantly enhanced the relationship. None of the interactions varied between the HK and UK samples. The expected negative relationship between neuroticism and SWB, however, was significantly stronger in the UK sample than in the HK sample. The findings of the present study indicate that personality needs to be considered when promoting and providing physical activity for older adults, although more research is needed to further explore how this can work effectively.

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Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Interaction of Physical Activity and Personality in the Subjective Wellbeing of Older Adults in Hong Kong and the United Kingdom

Chan

Luciano

Lee

2018

Behavioral Sciences

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“…While this null result may have been due to the small number of participants included in each study (715 participants across 9 studies; median number per study = 54), subsequent studies using larger samples reveal similar conclusions. Indeed, in one preregistered experiment and the largest study conducted on the topic to date, nearly 300 college students in Massachusetts were randomly assigned to engage in formal volunteer work for 10–12 hours weekly or to a wait‐list control group (Whillans et al., 2016). To assess the impact of volunteering, students reported their well‐being over a 6‐month period.…”

Section: Understanding Inconsistencies Through Sdtmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…To assess the impact of volunteering, students reported their well‐being over a 6‐month period. Students who volunteered were no happier than those assigned to the waitlist, suggesting that formal volunteering had no measurable benefits (Whillans et al., 2016; see also Schreier, Schonert‐Reichl, & Chen, 2013). While this finding appears to conflict with the generalized notion that helping leads to happiness, these results likely stem from the mandatory nature of many volunteering opportunities.…”

Section: Understanding Inconsistencies Through Sdtmentioning

confidence: 99%

Helping and Happiness: A Review and Guide for Public Policy

Aknin

Whillans²

2020

Social Issues Policy Review

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Perhaps one of the most reaffirming findings to emerge over the past several decades is that humans not only engage in generous behavior, they also appear to experience pleasure from doing so. Yet not all acts of helping lead to greater happiness. Here, we review the growing body of evidence showing that people engage in a wide array of prosocial behaviors (e.g., charitable giving, volunteering, blood/organ donation, offering advice, food sharing) which can promote positive emotions. Then, using self‐determination theory, a foundational theory of human motivation, we consider when and how generous actions are most likely to boost the helper's happiness—and when they are not. Finally, we leverage these insights to consider how public policy and organizations can apply this information to make prosocial action more emotionally rewarding for citizens and employees alike.

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“…Some initiatives are intrinsically beneficial for volunteers, for example De Voedseltuin where volunteers receive training and produce from the food garden, and for others, there are benefits of volunteering that might not be apparent or visible in the short term, such as self esteem and enhanced wellbeing [23], and health/environmental literacy. However, the association between volunteering and wellbeing may not always be causal [24].…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Ten Lessons for Good Practice for the INHERIT Triple Win: Health, Equity, and Environmental Sustainability

Bell¹,

Khan²,

Romeo-Velilla

et al. 2019

IJERPH

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The world’s challenges of climate change, damage to ecosystems, and social and health inequalities require changes in human behaviours at every level of organisation, among governments, business, communities, and individuals. An important question is how behaviour change can be enabled and supported at the scale and speed required. The research reported in this paper describes important lessons for good practice in changing contexts to modify behaviours for a triple win for health, equity and environmental sustainability. Authors synthesised learning from qualitative, quantitative and cost benefit evaluations of 15 case studies conducted in 12 countries in Europe. The case studies address ways of living (green spaces and energy efficient housing), moving (active transport) and consuming (healthy and sustainable diets) that support the triple win. Ten lessons for good practice were identified. These include bringing a triple win mindset to policy and practice in planning interventions, with potential to improve environmental sustainability, health and equity at the same time. The lessons for good practice are intended to support governmental and non-governmental actors, practitioners and researchers planning to work across sectors to achieve mutual benefits for health and environmental sustainability and in particular to benefit poorer and more socio-economically disadvantaged groups.

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Does volunteering improve well-being?

Cited by 30 publications

References 40 publications

Interaction of Physical Activity and Personality in the Subjective Wellbeing of Older Adults in Hong Kong and the United Kingdom

Interaction of Physical Activity and Personality in the Subjective Wellbeing of Older Adults in Hong Kong and the United Kingdom

Helping and Happiness: A Review and Guide for Public Policy

Ten Lessons for Good Practice for the INHERIT Triple Win: Health, Equity, and Environmental Sustainability

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