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Does volunteering moderate the relation between functional limitations and mortality?

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  • Okun, Morris A.
  • August, Kristin J.
  • Rook, Karen S.
  • Newsom, Jason T.

Abstract

Previous studies have demonstrated that functional limitations increase, and organizational volunteering decreases, the risk of mortality in later life. However, scant attention has been paid to investigating the joint effect of functional limitations and organizational volunteering on mortality. Accordingly, we tested the hypothesis that volunteering moderates the relation between functional limitations and risk of mortality. This prospective study used baseline survey data from a representative sample of 916 non-institutionalized adults 65 years old and older who lived in the continental United States. Data on mortality were extracted six years later from the National Death Index. Survival analyses revealed that functional limitations were associated with an increased risk of dying only among participants who never or almost never volunteered, suggesting that volunteering buffers the association between functional limitations and mortality. We conclude that although it may be more difficult for older adults with functional limitations to volunteer, they may receive important benefits from doing so.

Suggested Citation

  • Okun, Morris A. & August, Kristin J. & Rook, Karen S. & Newsom, Jason T., 2010. "Does volunteering moderate the relation between functional limitations and mortality?," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 71(9), pages 1662-1668, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:socmed:v:71:y:2010:i:9:p:1662-1668
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Emily A. Greenfield & Nadine F. Marks, 2007. "Continuous Participation in Voluntary Groups as a Protective Factor for the Psychological Well-Being of Adults Who Develop Functional Limitations: Evidence From the National Survey of Families and Hou," The Journals of Gerontology: Series B, The Gerontological Society of America, vol. 62(1), pages 60-68.
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    4. Nancy Morrow-Howell & Jim Hinterlong & Philip A. Rozario & Fengyan Tang, 2003. "Effects of Volunteering on the Well-Being of Older Adults," The Journals of Gerontology: Series B, The Gerontological Society of America, vol. 58(3), pages 137-145.
    5. Donald C. Reitzes & Elizabeth J. Mutran, 2006. "Self and Health: Factors That Encourage Self-Esteem and Functional Health," The Journals of Gerontology: Series B, The Gerontological Society of America, vol. 61(1), pages 44-51.
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    8. Marieke Van Willigen, 2000. "Differential Benefits of Volunteering Across the Life Course," The Journals of Gerontology: Series B, The Gerontological Society of America, vol. 55(5), pages 308-318.
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    Cited by:

    1. Luo, Ye & Zhang, Zhenmei & Gu, Danan, 2015. "Education and mortality among older adults in China," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 127(C), pages 134-142.
    2. Trine Filges & Anu Siren & Torben Fridberg & Bjørn C. V. Nielsen, 2020. "Voluntary work for the physical and mental health of older volunteers: A systematic review," Campbell Systematic Reviews, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 16(4), December.
    3. Luo, Ye & Hawkley, Louise C. & Waite, Linda J. & Cacioppo, John T., 2012. "Loneliness, health, and mortality in old age: A national longitudinal study," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 74(6), pages 907-914.
    4. 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).

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