The relationship between time spent in volunteering activities and quality of life in adults over the age of 50 years: A systematic review

Abstract

Introduction: Increased attention has focused on the importance of time spent by ageing adults in volunteering. The aim of this systematic review was to analyse literature exploring the relationship between time spent volunteering and quality of life for adults over the age of 50 years. Method: Electronic searches of nine databases located relevant articles involving adults over the age of 50 in volunteering activities that included psychological, physical and social quality of life domains. The quality of the selected articles was assessed and data extracted using preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses. Results: Of the 65 articles retrieved, 22 were reviewed and eight included in the final review. Studies included one randomised controlled trial, one cross-sectional and six longitudinal studies. Levels of time spent volunteering by participants within the studies varied considerably. Articles retrieved reported positive quality of life outcomes including increases in life satisfaction, self-esteem and social support and a slowed functional decline. Conclusion: Volunteering is identified as an important occupation for adults over the age of 50, although the relationship between time spent volunteering and the impact on quality of life outcomes is still not fully understood. Future research is required to better understand the impact of time spent volunteering on quality of life.

Toward a Unified Framework for Positive Psychology Interventions: Evidence-Based Processes of Change in Coaching, Prevention, and Training

“…Since that time, the field of Positive Psychology has thrived, with thousands of studies on virtues, strengths, positive emotions, and positive communities and workplaces. We see this explosion of studies in reviews and meta-analyses on signature strengths and virtues (Schutte and Malouff, 2019 ), helping behavior (Lefevor et al, 2017 ), creativity (Acar et al, 2020 ), resilience (Liu et al, 2020 ), positive affect and broaden and build theory (Fredrickson, 2013 ), forgiveness (Wade et al, 2014 ), flow (Harris et al, 2021 ), gratitude (Boggiss et al, 2020 ), self-compassion (Wilson et al, 2019 ), passion (Pollack et al, 2020 ), mindfulness (Fjorback et al, 2011 ), hope (Griggs, 2017 ), optimism (Rozanski et al, 2019 ), meaning in life (Manco and Hamby, 2021 ), volunteering (Milbourn et al, 2018 ), positive forms of motivation (Ntoumanis et al, 2021 ), value affirmation (Howell, 2017 ), school-based positive interventions (Tejada-Gallardo et al, 2020 ), workplace positive interventions (Donaldson et al, 2019 ), and other forms of positive intervention (Carr et al, 2020 ). This research has led to a broadening of the definition of positive psychology itself, with theorists arguing that positive psychology needs to include both positive and negative constructs and needs to consider a wider number of methodologies and levels (e.g., group, culture, etc.…”

Leisure and Productivity in Older Adults with Cancer: A Systematic Review

“…As discussed previously, in healthy older adults, engaging in self-care occupations is important but so too is participation in leisure and productive occupations [ 15 – 17 , 19 , 20 ]. Cancer and its treatments can lead to functional limitations, especially among older adults [ 35 ], which can affect occupational engagement [ 36 ], especially as cancer can become a chronic disease [ 37 ], thus with long-term occupational disruptions.…”

“…In contrast, 34% of the women and 5% of the men were interested in productivity (e.g., household management) and about 90% of men and women were interested in quiet leisure. Finally, another study showed that American older adults could spend up to 1878 hours per year in mean in volunteering, with positive outcomes on quality of life [ 20 ], while in Sweden older workers over the age of 65 looked for a “harmonious mix of occupations.”…”

Relationships between Volunteering, Neighbourhood Deprivation and Mental Wellbeing across Four British Birth Cohorts: Evidence from 10 Years of the UK Household Longitudinal Study

“…Engagement in voluntary work provides wide-ranging benefits for individual mental and social wellbeing [3,6,7]. A report from the National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO) showed that 96% of volunteers (N = 10,103) reported feeling happy with the experience, with 9 in 10 reporting that volunteering provided enjoyment, a sense of personal achievement and purpose [3].…”

“…Engaging in voluntary work is also associated with improved physical health. Reported physical benefits include decreased rates of functional decline, reduced cortisol reactivity to stressors and lower cardiovascular risk; as well as increased physical activity, strength and walking speed [6,[10][11][12]. Volunteering also offers opportunities to widen social networks, enhance social bonds and connectedness, and it may provide social rewards [6,13,14].…”