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Stress-buffering effects of volunteering on salivary cortisol: Results from a daily diary study

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  • Han, Sae Hwang
  • Kim, Kyungmin
  • Burr, Jeffrey A.

Abstract

Based on the theoretical foundations of the caregiving system model, which holds that prosocial behavior can be conceptualized in relation to a neurobiological stress-buffering mechanism, we addressed the question of whether daily volunteering yields buffering effects in terms of suppressing a neuroendocrine response (i.e., salivary cortisol) to daily stressors. We used daily diary data from the second wave of the National Study of Daily Experiences (NSDE II), which is part of the Midlife in the United States study (MIDUS II), a nationally representative survey of middle-aged and older adults. Analyzing a sample of volunteers (N = 340), we tested the buffering role of daily volunteer work for the same day stressors-salivary cortisol response relationship (person-day observations, N = 1,042). Findings from multilevel models indicated that the relationship between daily stressors and cortisol output was attenuated on days when volunteering was performed compared to days volunteering was not performed. Our findings are suggestive of a unique, but unobserved, neurobiological mechanism underlying the link between volunteering and better health. Volunteer programs designed to help others in need may be considered as an intervention strategy for individuals living under stressful conditions.

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  • Han, Sae Hwang & Kim, Kyungmin & Burr, Jeffrey A., 2018. "Stress-buffering effects of volunteering on salivary cortisol: Results from a daily diary study," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 201(C), pages 120-126.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:socmed:v:201:y:2018:i:c:p:120-126
    DOI: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2018.02.011
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Yunqing Li, 2007. "Recovering From Spousal Bereavement in Later Life: Does Volunteer Participation Play a Role?," The Journals of Gerontology: Series B, The Gerontological Society of America, vol. 62(4), pages 257-266.
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    6. Hilbrand, Sonja & Coall, David A. & Meyer, Andrea H. & Gerstorf, Denis & Hertwig, Ralph, 2017. "A prospective study of associations among helping, health, and longevity," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 187(C), pages 109-117.
    7. Hong, S.I. & Morrow-Howell, Nancy, 2010. "Health outcomes of Experience Corps®: A high-commitment volunteer program," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 71(2), pages 414-420, July.
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    1. Arjen Wit & Heng Qu & René Bekkers, 2022. "The health advantage of volunteering is larger for older and less healthy volunteers in Europe: a mega-analysis," European Journal of Ageing, Springer, vol. 19(4), pages 1189-1200, December.
    2. Liu, Yiwei & Duan, Yanan & Xu, Ling, 2020. "Volunteer service and positive attitudes toward aging among Chinese older adults: The mediating role of health," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 265(C).
    3. Han, Sae Hwang & Roberts, J. Scott & Mutchler, Jan E. & Burr, Jeffrey A., 2020. "Volunteering, polygenic risk for Alzheimer's disease, and cognitive functioning among older adults," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 253(C).
    4. Webster, Noah J. & Ajrouch, Kristine J. & Antonucci, Toni C., 2021. "Volunteering and health: The role of social network change," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 285(C).
    5. Dwight C K Tse & Lynn Martire, 2020. "Volunteers’ Felt Respect and Its Associations With Volunteering Retention, Daily Affect, Well-being, and Mortality," The Journals of Gerontology: Series B, The Gerontological Society of America, vol. 75(8), pages 1625-1636.
    6. Hei Wan Mak & Rory Coulter & Daisy Fancourt, 2022. "Relationships between Volunteering, Neighbourhood Deprivation and Mental Wellbeing across Four British Birth Cohorts: Evidence from 10 Years of the UK Household Longitudinal Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(3), pages 1-15, January.

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