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

Author

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  • Hei Wan Mak

    (Department of Behavioural Science and Health, University College London, London WC1E 7HB, UK)

  • Rory Coulter

    (Department of Geography, University College London, London WC1E 6BT, UK)

  • Daisy Fancourt

    (Department of Behavioural Science and Health, University College London, London WC1E 7HB, UK)

Abstract

Volunteering is associated with greater mental, physical and social wellbeing. However, less is known about whether the health benefits of volunteering vary with two sets of factors known to shape population health and health-related behaviours: (1) age and birth cohort, and (2) place of residence. This study examined how these factors influence the relationship between volunteering and self-reported mental health using five waves of data from Understanding Society: The UK Household Longitudinal Study (UKHLS) enriched with information on neighbourhood deprivation (Index of Multiple Deprivation 2015). Two self-reported mental health and wellbeing outcomes were examined: mental distress (GHQ-12) and health-related quality of life (SF-12). The sample was stratified by cohort: pre-1945 (born before 1945), Baby Boomers (born 1945–1964), Gen X (born 1965–1979), and Millennials (born from 1980). Fixed-effects regressions revealed that volunteering was associated with reduced levels of mental distress and greater levels of health-related quality of life in older generations, but not amongst younger generations. No moderating effect of area deprivation was found. This study suggests that generational social attitudes and changes in how volunteering is portrayed and delivered could influence not only whether people volunteer, but also whether doing so bolsters health.

Suggested Citation

  • 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.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:3:p:1531-:d:737687
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    1. David Clifford, 2021. "Disparities by deprivation: The geographical impact of unprecedented changes in local authority financing on the voluntary sector in England," Environment and Planning A, , vol. 53(8), pages 2050-2067, November.
    2. 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.
    3. Pamela D. Pilkington & Tim D. Windsor & Dimity A. Crisp, 2012. "Volunteering and Subjective Well-Being in Midlife and Older Adults: The Role of Supportive Social Networks," The Journals of Gerontology: Series B, The Gerontological Society of America, vol. 67(2), pages 249-260.
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