@article {12996, title = {Age and Cohort Trends in Formal Volunteering and Informal Helping in Later Life: Evidence From the Health and Retirement Study.}, journal = {Demography}, volume = {60}, year = {2023}, pages = {99-122}, abstract = {

Formal volunteering holds great importance for the recipients of volunteer services, individuals who volunteer, and the wider society. However, how much recent birth cohorts volunteer in middle and late adulthood compared with earlier birth cohorts is not well understood. Even less well-known are the age and cohort trends in informal helping provided to friends and neighbors in later adulthood. Using longitudinal data from the Health and Retirement Study, we estimated age and cohort trends in formal volunteering and informal helping from 1998 to 2018 for a wide range of birth cohorts born between 1909 and 1958. We used multivariate, multilevel models based on Bayesian generalized modeling methods to estimate the probabilities of volunteering and informal helping simultaneously in a single model. Despite having advantages in human and health capital, recent birth cohorts showed volunteering levels in late adulthood that are similar to those of their predecessors. Moreover, more recent birth cohorts were consistently less engaged in informal helping than earlier birth cohorts throughout the observation period. More research is needed to illuminate the sociocultural drivers of changes in helping behaviors and overall prosocial and civic engagement.

}, keywords = {Bayes Theorem, Retirement, Volunteers}, issn = {1533-7790}, doi = {10.1215/00703370-10395916}, author = {Han, Sae Hwang and Shih, Yao-Chi and Burr, Jeffrey A and Peng, Changmin} } @article {8492, title = {Successful Aging in the Context of the Disablement Process: Working and Volunteering as Moderators on the Association Between Chronic Conditions and Subsequent Functional Limitations.}, journal = {J Gerontol B Psychol Sci Soc Sci}, volume = {72}, year = {2017}, month = {2017 Mar 01}, pages = {340-350}, abstract = {

Objectives : This study evaluated the successful aging model by assessing the impact of two forms of productive engagement-working and volunteering-as potential interventions in the process of disablement.

Method : The Health and Retirement Study was used to (a) estimate two-stage selection equations of (i) currently working part time and full time and (ii) currently volunteering less than 100 hours and volunteering 100 hours or more per year (net of chronic health problems) and (b) assess whether, net of selection, working, and volunteering moderate the association between chronic conditions and subsequent functional limitations.

Results : Chronic conditions were associated with elevated levels of subsequent functional limitations, whereas both working and volunteering were associated with lower levels of subsequent functional limitations. Moreover, workers and volunteers of less than 100 hours per year experienced a reduction in the association of chronic conditions on subsequent functional limitations.

Discussion : This research highlights the role of productive engagement as a key element in successful aging. Not only do work and volunteering have direct associations with health outcomes themselves, but they also act as potential interventions in the process of disablement by attenuating the way in which chronic conditions are translated into subsequent functional limitations. This suggests that (a) future research should apply successful aging models to health processes as well as health outcomes and (b) policy makers should support social institutions that foster late-life productive engagement.

}, keywords = {Aged, Aged, 80 and over, Aging, Disabled Persons, Employment, Female, Humans, Male, United States, Volunteers}, issn = {1758-5368}, doi = {10.1093/geronb/gbw060}, url = {http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27225973}, author = {Ben Lennox Kail and Dawn C Carr} } @article {8681, title = {Does Volunteering Experience Influence Advance Care Planning in Old Age?}, journal = {J Gerontol Soc Work}, volume = {59}, year = {2016}, month = {2016 07}, pages = {423-438}, abstract = {

Advance care planning (ACP) increases the likelihood patients will receive end-of-life care that is congruent with their preferences and lowers stress among both patients and caregivers. Previous efforts to increase ACP have mainly focused on information provision in the very late stage of life. This study examines whether a relationship exists between volunteering and ACP, and whether this relationship is associated with social support. The sample comprises 877 individuals who were aged 55+ in 2008, and were deceased before 2010. The sample is derived from seven waves (1998-2010) of data from the Health and Retirement Study. Logistic regression results showed that overall ACP and durable power of attorney for health care (DPAHC) were both higher (OR~=~1.61 and 1.71, respectively) for older adults with volunteering experience in the past 10~years than those without such experience. Available social support (relatives and friends living nearby) was not associated with the relationship between volunteering and ACP. Other factors related to ACP included poorer health, death being expected, death due to cancer, older age, and being a racial minority. Involving older people in volunteer work may help to increase ACP. Future research is encouraged to identify reasons for the association between volunteering and ACP.

}, keywords = {Advance care planning, Aged, Aging, Female, Humans, Income, Logistic Models, Male, Middle Aged, Social Support, Socioeconomic factors, Terminal Care, Volunteers}, issn = {1540-4048}, doi = {10.1080/01634372.2016.1230567}, author = {Shen, Huei-Wern and Khosla, Nidhi} } @article {8496, title = {Life Satisfaction and Psychological Well-Being of Older Adults With Cancer Experience: The Role of Optimism and Volunteering.}, journal = {Int J Aging Hum Dev}, volume = {83}, year = {2016}, month = {2016 09}, pages = {274-89}, abstract = {

Promoting health and well-being among individuals of advancing age is a significant issue due to increased incidence of cancer among older adults. This study demonstrates the benefits of expecting positive outcomes and participating in volunteer activities among older adults with cancer. We used a nationally representative sample of 2,670 individuals who have experienced cancer from the 2008 wave of the Health and Retirement Study. We constructed a structural equation model to explore the associations of optimism, volunteerism, life satisfaction, and psychological well-being. The level of optimism was a significant predictor of volunteerism, which in turn affected life satisfaction and psychological well-being. The level of engagement in volunteer activities was found to have significant path coefficients toward both life satisfaction and psychological well-being. Our study provides evidence that older adults who have experienced cancer and maintained a positive outlook on their lives and engaged in personally meaningful activities tended to experience psychological well-being and life satisfaction.

}, keywords = {Aged, Aged, 80 and over, Aging, Female, Humans, Male, Middle Aged, Neoplasms, Optimism, Personal Satisfaction, Volunteers}, issn = {1541-3535}, doi = {10.1177/0091415016652406}, url = {http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27273518}, author = {Jinmoo Heo and Sanghee Chun and Lee, Sunwoo and Kim, Junhyoung} } @article {8567, title = {Longitudinal Relationships Between Productive Activities and Functional Health in Later Years: A Multivariate Latent Growth Curve Modeling Approach.}, journal = {Int J Aging Hum Dev}, volume = {83}, year = {2016}, month = {2016 10}, pages = {418-40}, abstract = {

This study examined the longitudinal relationships between functional health in later years and three types of productive activities: volunteering, full-time, and part-time work. Using the data from five waves (2000-2008) of the Health and Retirement Study, we applied multivariate latent growth curve modeling to examine the longitudinal relationships among individuals 50 or over. Functional health was measured by limitations in activities of daily living. Individuals who volunteered, worked either full time or part time exhibited a slower decline in functional health than nonparticipants. Significant associations were also found between initial functional health and longitudinal changes in productive activity participation. This study provides additional support for the benefits of productive activities later in life; engagement in volunteering and employment are indeed associated with better functional health in middle and old age.

}, keywords = {Activities of Daily Living, Aged, Aging, Employment, Female, Health Status, Humans, Longitudinal Studies, Male, Middle Aged, Volunteers}, issn = {1541-3535}, doi = {10.1177/0091415016657557}, url = {http://ahd.sagepub.com/content/early/2016/07/21/0091415016657557.long}, author = {Choi, Eunhee and Tang, Fengyan and Turk, Phillip} } @article {6440, title = {Physical, Cognitive, Social, and Emotional Mediators of Activity Involvement and Health in Later Life.}, journal = {Res Aging}, volume = {38}, year = {2016}, month = {2016 Oct}, pages = {791-815}, abstract = {

The current study tests the indirect effect of activity-related physical activity, cognitive activity, social interaction, and emotional exchange on the relationship between activity involvement and health (physical and emotional) in later life. Longitudinal data from the Health and Retirement Study (N = 5,442) were used to estimate a series of linear regression models. We found significant indirect effects for social interaction and benefit to others (emotional exchange) on emotional health (depressive symptoms) and indirect effects for use of body and benefit to others (physical) on physical health (frailty). The most potent indirect effect associated with emotional and physical health was experienced by those engaged in all four domains (use of body, use of mind, social interaction, and benefit to others). While effect sizes are small and results should be interpreted with caution, findings shed light on ways in which public health interventions aimed toward increasing role engagement in later life could be improved.

}, keywords = {Aged, depression, Efficiency, Employment, Exercise, Female, Health Status, Humans, Longitudinal Studies, Male, Middle Aged, Quality of Life, Volunteers}, issn = {1552-7573}, doi = {10.1177/0164027515606182}, url = {http://roa.sagepub.com/content/early/2015/09/30/0164027515606182.abstract}, author = {Matz-Costa, Christina and Dawn C Carr and Tay K. McNamara and Jacquelyn Boone James} } @article {8705, title = {Volunteering Is Associated with Lower Risk of Cognitive Impairment.}, journal = {J Am Geriatr Soc}, volume = {64}, year = {2016}, month = {2016 11}, pages = {2263-2269}, abstract = {

OBJECTIVES: To examine whether psychosocial factors that can be a target for interventions, such as volunteering, are associated with risk of cognitive impairment.

DESIGN: Health and Retirement Study (HRS) data from 1998 to 2012, a nationally representative longitudinal panel survey of older adults assessed every 2 years, were used.

SETTING: The HRS interviews participants aged 50 and older across the contiguous United States.

PARTICIPANTS: Individuals aged 60 and older in 1998 (N = 13,262).

MEASUREMENTS: Personal interviews were conducted with respondents to assess presence of cognitive impairment, measured using a composite across cognitive measures.

RESULTS: Volunteering at the initial assessment and volunteering regularly over time independently decreased the risk of cognitive impairment over 14 years, and these findings were maintained independent of known risk factors for cognitive impairment. Greater risk of onset of cognitive impairment was associated with being older, being female, being nonwhite, having fewer years of education, and reporting more depressive symptoms.

CONCLUSION: Consistent civic engagement in old age is associated with lower risk of cognitive impairment and provides impetus for interventions to protect against the onset of cognitive impairment. Given the increasing number of baby boomers entering old age, the findings support the public health benefits of volunteering and the potential role of geriatricians, who can promote volunteering by incorporating "prescriptions to volunteer" into their patient care.

}, keywords = {Aged, Aged, 80 and over, Cognition Disorders, Female, Geriatric Assessment, Health Surveys, Humans, Interviews as Topic, Male, Middle Aged, Risk Factors, United States, Volunteers}, issn = {1532-5415}, doi = {10.1111/jgs.14398}, author = {Frank J Infurna and Morris A Okun and Kevin J. Grimm} } @article {7762, title = {The influence of unpaid work on the transition out of full-time paid work.}, journal = {Gerontologist}, volume = {53}, year = {2013}, month = {2013 Feb}, pages = {92-101}, abstract = {

PURPOSE: Continued employment after retirement and engagement in unpaid work are both important ways of diminishing the negative economic effects of the retirement of baby boomer cohorts on society. Little research, however, examines the relationship between paid and unpaid work at the transition from full-time work. Using a resource perspective framework this study examines how engagement in unpaid work prior to and at the transition from full-time work influences whether individuals partially or fully retire.

DESIGN AND METHODS: This study used a sample of 2,236 Americans between the ages 50 and 68, who were interviewed between 1998 and 2008. Logistic regression was used to estimate transitioning into partial retirement (relative to full retirement) after leaving full-time work.

RESULTS: We found that the odds of transitioning into part-time work were increased by continuous volunteering (78\%) and reduced by starting parental (84\%), grandchild (41\%), and spousal (90\%) caregiving and unaffected by all other patterns of engagement in unpaid work.

IMPLICATIONS: Our findings suggest that volunteering is complementary with a transition to part-time work, and starting a new caregiving role at this transitioncreates a barrier to continued employment. In order to provide workers the opportunity to engage in the work force longer at the brink of retirement, it may be necessary to increase the support mechanisms for those who experience new caregiving responsibilities.

}, keywords = {Age Factors, Aged, Employment, Female, Humans, Interviews as Topic, Logistic Models, Male, Middle Aged, Retirement, Salaries and Fringe Benefits, Volunteers, Work}, issn = {1758-5341}, doi = {10.1093/geront/gns080}, author = {Dawn C Carr and Ben Lennox Kail} } @article {7833, title = {A prospective study of volunteerism and hypertension risk in older adults.}, journal = {Psychol Aging}, volume = {28}, year = {2013}, note = {Copyright - Copyright American Psychological Association Jun 2013 Last updated - 2013-06-30}, month = {2013 Jun}, pages = {578-86}, publisher = {28}, abstract = {

The purpose of the current study was to determine whether volunteerism is prospectively associated with hypertension risk among older adults. Participants provided data during the 2006 and 2010 waves of the Health and Retirement Study, a longitudinal panel survey using a nationally representative sample of community-dwelling older adults (age > 50 years). Volunteerism and blood pressure were measured at baseline and again 4 years later. Analyses excluded individuals hypertensive at baseline and controlled for age, race, sex, education, baseline systolic/diastolic blood pressure, and major chronic illnesses. Those who had volunteered at least 200 hr in the 12 months prior to baseline were less likely to develop hypertension (OR = 0.60; 95\% CI [0.40, 0.90]) than nonvolunteers. There was no association between volunteerism and hypertension risk at lower levels of volunteer participation. Volunteering at least 200 hr was also associated with greater increases in psychological well-being (B = 0.99, β = .05, p = .006) and physical activity (B = 0.21, β = .05, p = .04) compared with nonvolunteers; however, these factors did not explain the association of volunteerism with hypertension risk.

}, keywords = {Aged, Aged, 80 and over, Female, Health Surveys, Humans, Hypertension, Male, Middle Aged, Prospective Studies, Risk Assessment, Time Factors, Volunteers}, issn = {1939-1498}, doi = {10.1037/a0032718}, author = {Rodlescia S. Sneed and Cohen, Sheldon} } @article {7787, title = {Race differences in the relationship between formal volunteering and hypertension.}, journal = {J Gerontol B Psychol Sci Soc Sci}, volume = {68}, year = {2013}, month = {2013 Mar}, pages = {310-9}, publisher = {68}, abstract = {

OBJECTIVES: This study investigated race differences in the relationship between formal volunteering and hypertension prevalence among middle-aged and older adults.

METHOD: Using data from the 2004 and 2006 Health and Retirement Study (N = 5,666; 677 African Americans and 4,989 whites), we examined regression models stratified by race to estimate relationships among hypertension prevalence, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, and volunteer status and hours spent volunteering among persons aged 51 years old and older.

RESULTS: White volunteers had a lower risk of hypertension than white nonvolunteers. A threshold effect was also present; compared with nonvolunteers, volunteering a moderate number of hours was associated with lowest risk of hypertension for whites. Results for hypertension were consistent with results from alternative models of systolic and diastolic blood pressure. We found no statistically significant relationship between volunteering activity and hypertension/blood pressure for African Americans.

DISCUSSION: There may be unmeasured cultural differences related to the meaning of volunteering and contextual differences in volunteering that account for the race differences we observed. Research is needed to determine the pathways through which volunteering is related to hypertension risk and that may help explain race differences identified here.

}, keywords = {Black or African American, Blood pressure, Female, Humans, Hypertension, Logistic Models, Male, Middle Aged, Prevalence, Risk Factors, United States, Volunteers, White People}, issn = {1758-5368}, doi = {10.1093/geronb/gbs162}, author = {Jane Tavares and Jeffrey A Burr and Jan E Mutchler} } @article {7603, title = {Volunteer transitions among older adults: the role of human, social, and cultural capital in later life.}, journal = {J Gerontol B Psychol Sci Soc Sci}, volume = {66}, year = {2011}, month = {2011 Jul}, pages = {490-501}, publisher = {66B}, abstract = {

OBJECTIVES: We aim to understand how human, social, and cultural capitals are associated with the volunteer process, that is, engagement (starting), intensity (number of hours), and cessation (stopping), among older adults.

METHOD: Data from the 2000 through 2008 Health and Retirement Study and the 2001 through 2009 Consumption and Activity Mail Survey provide a sample of 4,526 respondents. Random-effects pooled time series analyses incorporate not only the presence of various types of capital but also the quality of that capital.

RESULTS: Human and cultural capitals were positively associated with increased volunteer involvement. Effects of social capital (relationships in the family, employment status, and the community) depended on the quality of the relationships, not necessarily on their presence alone.

DISCUSSION: Results suggest that bolstering older adults{\textquoteright} capitals, particularly among lower socioeconomic status groups, can increase volunteer engagement and intensity and reduce cessation. Additionally, a variety of organizational policies including respite programs for caregivers and employer policies allowing employees to reduce their work hours might indirectly affect participation rates and commitment. Potential pools of volunteers exist in families, workplaces, and religious organizations, but more research is necessary to identify how to recruit and retain individuals in social networks where volunteer participatory rates are low.

}, keywords = {Aged, Aging, Caregivers, Community Participation, Cost of Illness, Educational Status, Employment, Female, Health Status, Health Surveys, Humans, Likelihood Functions, Longitudinal Studies, Male, Middle Aged, Multivariate Analysis, Religion and Psychology, Social Environment, Social Identification, Social Support, Socioeconomic factors, United States, Volunteers}, issn = {1758-5368}, doi = {10.1093/geronb/gbr055}, author = {Tay K. McNamara and Guillermo Ernest Gonzales} } @article {7575, title = {Volunteering and hypertension risk in later life.}, journal = {J Aging Health}, volume = {23}, year = {2011}, month = {2011 Feb}, pages = {24-51}, publisher = {23}, abstract = {

OBJECTIVE: This study examined the relationship between volunteer activity and hypertension, a risk factor for cardiovascular disease, renal failure, and cognitive impairment.

METHOD: Employing data from the Health and Retirement Study, we estimated regression models of hypertension status that include volunteer activity and psychosocial and health behavior risk factors for middle-aged and older persons.

RESULTS: Multivariate analyses showed volunteers had lower hypertension risk and lower systolic and diastolic blood pressure than nonvolunteers and that a threshold effect was present, whereby a modest amount of volunteer time commitment (but not a high amount) was associated with lower risk of hypertension. We did neither find support that psychosocial and health behaviors mediated this relationship nor find support for a moderating effect of volunteering for the relationships among health behaviors and hypertension.

DISCUSSION: The results of this study indicate that research is needed to determine what mediates the relationship between volunteering and hypertension.

}, keywords = {Aged, Aged, 80 and over, Body Mass Index, Confidence Intervals, Female, Health Behavior, health policy, Health Status, Humans, Hypertension, Male, Middle Aged, Multivariate Analysis, Odds Ratio, Psychometrics, Regression Analysis, Risk Factors, Social Support, Surveys and Questionnaires, Volunteers}, issn = {1552-6887}, doi = {10.1177/0898264310388272}, author = {Jeffrey A Burr and Jane Tavares and Jan E Mutchler} } @article {7656, title = {Volunteering, driving status, and mortality in U.S. retirees.}, journal = {J Am Geriatr Soc}, volume = {59}, year = {2011}, note = {Lee, Sei J Steinman, Michael A Tan, Erwin J K23 AG030999/AG/NIA NIH HHS/United States KL2RR024130/RR/NCRR NIH HHS/United States P30-AG02133/AG/NIA NIH HHS/United States Comparative Study Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov{\textquoteright}t United States Journal of the American Geriatrics Society Nihms289698 J Am Geriatr Soc. 2011 Feb;59(2):274-80. doi: 10.1111/j.1532-5415.2010.03265.x.}, month = {2011 Feb}, pages = {274-80}, publisher = {59}, abstract = {

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate how accounting for driving status altered the relationship between volunteering and mortality in U.S. retirees.

DESIGN: Observational prospective cohort.

SETTING: Nationally representative sample from the Health and Retirement Study in 2000 and 2002 followed to 2006.

PARTICIPANTS: Retirees aged 65 and older (N=6,408).

MEASUREMENTS: Participants self-reported their volunteering, driving status, age, sex, race or ethnicity, presence of chronic conditions, geriatric syndromes, socioeconomic factors, functional limitations, and psychosocial factors. Death by December 31, 2006, was the outcome.

RESULTS: For drivers, mortality in volunteers (9\%) and nonvolunteers (12\%) was similar; for limited or non-drivers, mortality for volunteers (15\%) was markedly lower than for nonvolunteers (32\%). Adjusted results showed that, for drivers, the volunteering-mortality odds ratio (OR) was 0.90 (95\% confidence interval (CI)=0.66-1.22), whereas for limited or nondrivers, the OR was 0.62 (95\% CI=0.49-0.78) (interaction P=.05). The effect of driving status was greater for rural participants, with greater differences between rural drivers and rural limited or nondrivers (interaction P=.02) and between urban drivers and urban limited or nondrivers (interaction P=.81).

CONCLUSION: The influence of volunteering in decreasing mortality seems to be stronger in rural retirees who are limited or nondrivers. This may be because rural or nondriving retirees are more likely to be socially isolated and thus receive more benefit from the greater social integration from volunteering.

}, keywords = {Activities of Daily Living, Aged, Automobile Driving, Female, Health Status, Humans, Male, Prospective Studies, Retirement, Risk Factors, Social Behavior, Survival Rate, United States, Volunteers}, issn = {1532-5415}, doi = {10.1111/j.1532-5415.2010.03265.x}, author = {Sei J. Lee and Michael A Steinman and Erwin J Tan} } @article {7489, title = {Health outcomes of Experience Corps: a high-commitment volunteer program.}, journal = {Soc Sci Med}, volume = {71}, year = {2010}, note = {Using Smart Source Parsing pp. Jul Elsevier Science, Amsterdam The Netherlands}, month = {2010 Jul}, pages = {414-420}, publisher = {71}, abstract = {

Experience Corps (EC) is a high-commitment US volunteer program that brings older adults into public elementary schools to improve academic achievement of students. It is viewed as a health promotion program for the older volunteers. We evaluated the effects of the EC program on older adults{\textquoteright} health, using a quasi-experimental design. We included volunteers from 17 EC sites across the US. They were pre-tested before beginning their volunteer work and post-tested after two years of service. We compared changes over time between the EC participants (n = 167) and a matched comparison group of people from the US Health and Retirement Study (2004, 2006). We developed the comparison group by using the nearest available Mahalanobis metric matching within calipers combined with the boosted propensity scores of those participating in the EC. We corrected for clustering effects via survey regression analyses with robust standard errors and calculated adjusted post-test means of health outcomes, controlling for all covariates and the boosted propensity score of EC participants. We found that compared to the comparison group, the EC group reported fewer depressive symptoms and functional limitations after two years of participation in the program, and there was a statistical trend toward the EC group reporting less decline in self-rated health. Results of this study add to the evidence supporting high-intensity volunteering as a social model of health promotion for older adults.

}, keywords = {Activities of Daily Living, Aged, Aged, 80 and over, depression, Female, Health Promotion, Health Status, Humans, Male, Middle Aged, Program Evaluation, Regression Analysis, Self Concept, Volunteers}, issn = {1873-5347}, doi = {10.1016/j.socscimed.2010.04.009}, author = {S I Hong and Morrow-Howell, Nancy} } @article {7494, title = {Predicting positive well-being in older men and women.}, journal = {Int J Aging Hum Dev}, volume = {70}, year = {2010}, month = {2010}, pages = {181-97}, publisher = {70}, abstract = {

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of background, psychological, and social variables on older adults{\textquoteright} well-being, and how this may differ for men and women. Participants included 800 adults from the 2002 Health and Retirement Study (HRS), aged 60 to 101 years old (M = 71.22, SD = 8.46), who completed the optional positive well-being module. Gender-based regression models revealed that for men, marital status, self-rated health, and depression were significant predictors and accounted for 32\% of the variability in positive well-being. Similar to men, self-rated health and depression were significant predictors of well-being for women. Additional significant predictors for women included age, the importance of religion, and volunteer work. Combined, these variables explained 35\% of the variance in women{\textquoteright}s positive well-being. These results can help us understand which variables are important to target when developing interventions to improve the well-being of older men and women.

}, keywords = {Aged, Aged, 80 and over, Aging, depression, Female, Health Status, Humans, Male, Marriage, Middle Aged, Personal Satisfaction, Predictive Value of Tests, Quality of Life, Regression Analysis, Religion and Psychology, Self Concept, Sex Distribution, Social Behavior, Surveys and Questionnaires, Volunteers}, issn = {0091-4150}, doi = {10.2190/AG.70.3.a}, author = {Erin L. Waddell and Joy M Jacobs-Lawson} } @article {7350, title = {Volunteer dynamics of older Americans.}, journal = {J Gerontol B Psychol Sci Soc Sci}, volume = {64}, year = {2009}, month = {2009 Sep}, pages = {644-55}, publisher = {64B}, abstract = {

OBJECTIVES: The impending retirement of boomers has spurred interest in tapping their productive energies to benefit society. This study examined volunteer transitions among older adults to understand the factors that affect volunteer dynamics.

METHODS: Using data from the Health and Retirement Study, the analysis examined entries into and exits from formal volunteer activities between 1996 and 2004 by adults aged 55-65 at study baseline. The study showed the duration of volunteer activities, the probability that older adults start and stop volunteering, and the factors that significantly predict volunteer transitions.

RESULTS: The findings reveal considerable stability among both volunteers and nonvolunteers; however, older adults are more likely to stop volunteering than to start. Volunteers who contribute intensely and for many years and who are married to volunteers are the least likely to quit. And nonvolunteers are more likely to start volunteering if they have been uninvolved for few years and their spouses volunteer.

CONCLUSIONS: The results point to the need to focus efforts on retaining older volunteers to maximize volunteer engagement during later years. Recruiting older adults in volunteer activities early on, ideally before they retire, could also help meet volunteer needs.

}, keywords = {Aged, Aging, Cross-Sectional Studies, Female, Humans, Life Change Events, Male, Middle Aged, Probability, Retirement, United States, Volunteers}, issn = {1758-5368}, doi = {10.1093/geronb/gbn042}, author = {Barbara A Butrica and Richard W. Johnson and Sheila R Zedlewski} } @article {7223, title = {Productive activities and psychological well-being among older adults.}, journal = {J Gerontol B Psychol Sci Soc Sci}, volume = {63}, year = {2008}, month = {2008 Mar}, pages = {S64-72}, publisher = {63B}, abstract = {

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to test whether paid work and formal volunteering reduce the rate of mental health decline in later life.

METHODS: Using four waves of Health and Retirement Study data collected from a sample of 7,830 individuals aged 55 to 66, I estimated growth curve models to assess the effects of productive activities on mental health trajectories. The analytical strategy took into account selection processes when examining the beneficial effects of activities. The analyses also formally attended to the sample attrition problem inherent in longitudinal studies.

RESULTS: The results indicated that activity participants generally had better mental health at the beginning of the study. Full-time employment and low-level volunteering had independent protective effects against decline in psychological well-being. Joint participants of both productive activities enjoyed a slower rate of mental health decline than single-activity participants.

DISCUSSION: The results are consistent with activity theory and further confirm the role accumulation perspective. The finding that full-time work combined with low-level volunteering is protective of mental health reveals the complementary effect of volunteering to formal employment. Methodological and theoretical implications are discussed.

}, keywords = {Activities of Daily Living, Aged, Cohort Studies, depression, Employment, Female, Health Status, Humans, Male, Mental Health, Middle Aged, Models, Psychological, Psychological Theory, Psychomotor Performance, Quality of Life, Social Environment, Volunteers}, issn = {1079-5014}, doi = {10.1093/geronb/63.2.s64}, author = {Hao, Yanni} } @article {7130, title = {Predicting the changes in depressive symptomatology in later life: how much do changes in health status, marital and caregiving status, work and volunteering, and health-related behaviors contribute?}, journal = {J Aging Health}, volume = {19}, year = {2007}, month = {2007 Feb}, pages = {152-77}, publisher = {19}, abstract = {

This study examined the unique effects of four variable groups on changes in older adults{\textquoteright} depressive symptoms for a 2-year period: (1) baseline health and disability status, (2) changes in health and disability since baseline, (3) stability and changes in marital and caregiving status and in work and volunteering, and (4) stability and changes in health-related behaviors. With data from the 1998 and 2000 interview waves of the Health and Retirement Study, the authors used gender-separate multistep (hierarchical) residualized regression analyses in which the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression scale (CES-D) score at follow-up is modeled as a function of the effect of each group of independent variables. As hypothesized, changes in health, disability, marital, and caregiving status explained a larger amount of variance than the existing and stable conditions, although each group of variables explained a relatively small amount (0.3-3.4\%) of variance in the follow-up CES-D score.

}, keywords = {Aged, Caregivers, depression, Employment, Female, Forecasting, Health Behavior, Health Status, Humans, Male, Marital Status, Middle Aged, Netherlands, Regression Analysis, Sweden, United States, Volunteers}, issn = {0898-2643}, doi = {10.1177/0898264306297602}, author = {Namkee G Choi and Bohman, Thomas M.} } @article {6803, title = {Individual consequences of volunteer and paid work in old age: health and mortality.}, journal = {J Health Soc Behav}, volume = {43}, year = {2002}, month = {2002 Dec}, pages = {490-509}, publisher = {43}, abstract = {

The impacts of the productive social activities of volunteer and paid work on health have rarely been investigated among the oldest Americans despite a recent claim for their beneficial effect (Rowe and Kahn 1998). This paper used data from Waves 3 and 4 of the Asset and Health Dynamics among the Oldest Old (AHEAD) Study to (1) investigate the impact of these activities on health measured as self-reported health and activities of daily living (ADL) functioning limitations and to (2) explore possible causal mechanisms. Using multinomial logistic regression analysis, amounts of volunteer and paid work over a minimum of 100 annual hours self-reported at Wave 3 were related to poor health and death as competing risks measured at Wave 4, controlling for health measured at Wave 2 and for other predictors of poor health and death. Findings suggest that performing more than 100 annual hours of volunteer work and of paid work have independent and significant protective effects against subsequent poor health and death. Additional analyses suggest that the quantity of volunteer and paid work beyond 100 annual hours is not related to health outcomes and that physical exercise and mental health measured as cognitive functioning and depressive symptoms explain not entirely overlapping parts of the relationship between productive activities and health.

}, keywords = {Activities of Daily Living, Aged, Aged, 80 and over, Employment, Female, Health Status, Humans, Male, Mortality, Multivariate Analysis, Prospective Studies, United States, Volunteers}, issn = {0022-1465}, doi = {10.2307/3090239}, author = {Luoh, M. and A. Regula Herzog} }