The effects of giving on givers.

Abstract

Ever since the groundbreaking study in which House, Landis, and Umberson (1988) argued that social relationships were equally important predictors of health as smoking, blood pressure, obesity, and physical activity, research on the health effects of social processes has exploded. An updated meta-analysis on 148 prospective studies found a 50% increase in survival likelihood for people who have robust social relationships (Holt-Lunstad, Smith, & Layton, 2010). This effect is stable across gender, age, country of origin, and operationalization of social relationships. Being socially connected is good for one's health. This is a complex issue, however, because social relationships encompass both giving and receiving social support, and it is unclear whether both

Brief cognitive intervention can modulate neuroendocrine stress responses to the Trier Social Stress Test: Buffering effects of a compassionate goal orientation

“…Affiliation is also experienced through giving social support (Brown et al, 2008; Konrath and Brown, 2012) and giving to others out of concern for their wellbeing (operationalized in constructs like compassion, loving-kindness, altruism, helping, and volunteerism) is attracting scientific interest as a stress reducer and health enhancer (e.g., Hofmann et al, 2011). Endorsing compassionate goals can prospectively enhance perceptions of available social support and reduce focus on self-other competition, and is associated with enhanced emotional well-being (Crocker and Canevello, 2008; Crocker et al, 2010).…”

“…Endorsing compassionate goals can prospectively enhance perceptions of available social support and reduce focus on self-other competition, and is associated with enhanced emotional well-being (Crocker and Canevello, 2008; Crocker et al, 2010). Giving to others (e.g., volunteering, caregiving) reduces self-focus and can yield psychological and health benefits for the giver (Konrath and Brown, 2012). Cultivating a motivational state related to helping others may activate a neurobehavioral “caregiving system” that promotes social bonds and perhaps enhances health by dampening stress reactivity (Davidson and McEwen, 2012; Konrath and Brown, 2012; Taylor et al, 2000; Wang, 2005).…”

Is spending money on others good for your heart?

“…Providing indirect support for this hypothesis, correlational and longitudinal research suggests that individuals who provide help to others exhibit a reduced risk of mortality and better overall health (e.g., Brown, Consedine & Magai, 2005;Brown et al, 2009;Piliavin & Siegl, 2007;Poulin, Brown, Dillard & Smith, 2013; see Konrath & Brown, 2013 for a recent review).…”

Physiological Correlates of Volunteering

“…We recommend an updated meta-analysis that includes more recent studies. Longitudinal studies confirm that volunteering at one time point predicts higher life satisfaction, happiness, selfesteem, and psychological well-being, at a later time point (for reviews, see Konrath 2014a; Konrath and Brown 2012;Handbook Chapter 17). These results are typically consistent when potential confounds are considered and controlled statistically.…”