The effects of marriage on volunteering and mental health: moderated mediation analysis

Syu, Jia-Jia; Yu, Min-Ning; Chen, Po‐Lin; Chung, Pei-Chun

doi:10.1007/s11135-012-9663-x

Cited by 6 publications

(5 citation statements)

References 37 publications

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“…While rural older adults volunteers are more likely to have higher depression than those living in urban areas, which is consistent with previous research has shown that urban older adults might have lower depression [36], hence this study expands on those findings. In terms of marriage status, married seniors had lower levels of depression than non-married older adults, which is consistent with prior research [34,45], moreover, other research, however, have found a positive relationship between volunteering and depression levels among people who are not in a marriage status [34]. In terms of the education level, previous studies have found that longer education period are associated with lower depression symptoms in older adults, as higher levels of education means longer years of education; therefore, this study can validate previous research [35].…”

Section: Theoretical Implicationssupporting

confidence: 90%

Volunteering and Depression among Older Adults: An Empirical Analysis Based on CLASS 2018

Wu¹,

Chen²,

Zhang³

et al. 2023

International Journal of Mental Health Promotion

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Introduction: Older adults are prone to high levels of depression due to their deteriorating physical functions and shrinking social networks after retirement. Volunteering as an important social activity is essential for alleviating depression by building social network. This paper aims to examine the effect of volunteering on depression among older adults by using China Longitudinal Aging Social Survey (CLASS 2018) data. Methods: This study uses descriptive analysis and chi-square tests to show differences in demographic factors of older adults' volunteerism participation, followed by bivariate correlation analysis to examine the correlation between the vital variables. Afterward, stratified linear regression analysis is used to research the significant level and impact between volunteering and degree of expertise, frequency, and variety of participation. Results: 8,459 older adults are included in study. The research reveals that older adults who are younger, live in urban areas, are married, or have a higher degree of education tend to have fewer depressive symptoms. Meanwhile, participation in volunteering (OR = 0.90, 95% CI: 0.8, 1.1, p < 0.001), as well as that demands specialized skills (OR = 0.51, 95% CI: 0.30, 0.2, p < 0.001), more frequency of participation (OR = 1.85, 95% CI: 1.53, 2.18, p < 0.001), and a wider variety of activities (OR = 0.21, 95% CI: 0.12, 0.29, p < 0.001), all have a positive influence on depression levels. Discussion/ Conclusion: Older adults who participate in voluntary services have lower depression symptoms and should be encouraged to use their professional skills and increase participation frequency and variety in this process. This article suggests that governments should help older adults participate in voluntary services by time bank which will further strengthen social ties, rebuild social networks and alleviate depression symptoms of older adults.

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Section: Theoretical Implicationssupporting

confidence: 90%

Volunteering and Depression among Older Adults: An Empirical Analysis Based on CLASS 2018

Wu¹,

Chen²,

Zhang³

et al. 2023

International Journal of Mental Health Promotion

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“…Supporting our proposition, Aquino, Russell, Cutrona, and Altmaier (1996) reported that the correlations between volunteering hours and life satisfaction, depression, and physical health were .16, −.13, and .09, respectively. Similarly, in another study, Syu, Yu, Chen, and Chung (2013) found that the correlations between volunteering frequency and the subscales of subjective well-being ranged from .17 to .25, while the correlations between volunteering frequency and the subscales of depression ranged from −.04 to −.14.…”

Section: Moderators Of Prosociality’s Effect On Well-beingmentioning

confidence: 72%

Rewards of kindness? A meta-analysis of the link between prosociality and well-being.

Hui¹,

Ng²,

Berzaghi³

et al. 2020

Psychological Bulletin

185

136

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In recent decades, numerous studies have suggested a positive relationship between prosociality and well-being. What remains less clear are (a) what the magnitude of this relationship is, and (b) what the moderators that influence it are. To address these questions, we conducted a meta-analysis to examine the strength of the prosociality to well-being link under different operationalizations, and how a set of theoretical, demographic, and methodological variables moderate the link. While the results revealed a modest overall mean effect size (r = .13, K = 201, N = 198,213) between prosociality and well-being, this masked the substantial variability in the effect as a function of numerous moderators. In particular, the effect of prosociality on eudaimonic well-being was stronger than that on hedonic well-being. Prosociality was most strongly related to psychological functioning—showing a more modest relationship with psychological malfunctioning and physical health. Using prosociality scales was more strongly associated with well-being than using measures of volunteering/helping frequency or status. In addition, informal helping (vs. formal helping) was linked to more well-being benefits. Demographically, younger givers exhibited higher levels of well-being other than physical health, while older and retired givers reported better physical health only. Female givers showed stronger relationships between prosociality and eudaimonic well-being, psychological malfunctioning, and physical health. Methodologically, the magnitude of the link was stronger in studies using primary (vs. secondary) data and with higher methodological rigor (i.e., measurement reliability and validity). We discussed all of these results and implications and suggested directions for future research.

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“…These studies have used a wide variety of measures to capture individuals' wellbeing, including overall ''subjective'' wellbeing (Mellor et al 2008), life satisfaction (Binder 2015;Binder and Freytag 2013), and happiness (Borgonovi 2008). Others have conceptualized physical and mental health outcomes in terms of improved mobility and physical activity (Pillemer et al 2010), decreased symptoms of depression (Syu et al 2013;Li and Ferraro 2005;Lum and Lightfoot 2005;Musick and Wilson 2003), improved sense of self-actualization or ''eudemonic wellbeing'' (Son and Wilson 2012), increased self-esteem (Brown et al 2012;Han and Hong 2012), and even decreased risk of mortality (Jenkinson et al 2013;Ayalon 2008;Musick et al 1999;Oman et al 1999).…”

Section: Literature Reviewmentioning

confidence: 99%

Volunteering and Wellbeing Among Ageing Adults: A Longitudinal Analysis

et al. 2018

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The effects of marriage on volunteering and mental health: moderated mediation analysis

Cited by 6 publications

References 37 publications

Volunteering and Depression among Older Adults: An Empirical Analysis Based on CLASS 2018

Volunteering and Depression among Older Adults: An Empirical Analysis Based on CLASS 2018

Rewards of kindness? A meta-analysis of the link between prosociality and well-being.

Volunteering and Wellbeing Among Ageing Adults: A Longitudinal Analysis

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