Volunteer group participation and subsequent health and well-being among older adults in Japan: An outcome-wide longitudinal approach

Background
Prior studies have underscored the importance of studying volunteering in the East Asian context. However, no study has conducted a holistic assessment of the relationship between volunteering and the multidimensional health and well-being outcomes of East Asian populations using a strong study design for causal inference. To address this gap, this study examined the associations between volunteer group participation and the subsequent health and well-being of Japanese older adults.

Methods
Three waves of data (2013, 2016, and 2019), obtained from the Japan Gerontological Evaluation Study—a nationwide cohort study of physically and cognitively independent older adults, aged ≥ 65 years, in Japan—were utilized. Exposure was evaluated as the frequency of volunteer group participation: ≥ 1/week, 1 − 3 times a month, a few times a year, and none (2016). As outcomes, 40 indicators of health and well-being were assessed across seven domains (2019): physical/cognitive health, health behaviors, mental health, subjective well-being, social well-being, pro-social/altruistic behaviors, and cognitive social capital. We included 47,318 respondents for four outcomes (death, dementia, and functional disability [any level and level 2 or greater]) and 34,187 respondents for the 36 other outcomes.

Results
More frequent volunteering (≥ 1/week) was associated with higher social well-being outcomes, more frequent pro-social/altruistic behaviors and outings, and fewer depressive symptoms, even after considering multiple testing.

Conclusion
Throughout the three-year follow-ups, volunteer group participation was beneficial for depressive symptoms, social well-being, and other proximal outcomes.