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Life Satisfaction and Self-Esteem in Older Adults Engaging in Formal Volunteering: A Cross-Sectional Study in Taiwan

Author

Listed:
  • Jo-Tzu Chu

    (Graduate Institute of Long-Term Care, Tzu Chi University of Science and Technology, Hualien City 970302, Taiwan)

  • Malcolm Koo

    (Graduate Institute of Long-Term Care, Tzu Chi University of Science and Technology, Hualien City 970302, Taiwan
    Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5T 3M7, Canada)

Abstract

Previous research has reported an association between life satisfaction, self-esteem, and volunteering. However, it is unclear whether self-esteem is associated with life satisfaction in older adults who are already engaged in volunteering. Therefore, the present study aimed to investigate the association between life satisfaction and self-esteem in older adults who were formally volunteering at a non-governmental organization in Taiwan. A cross-sectional study was conducted on 186 formal volunteers aged ≥ 65 years who were recruited from the Keelung chapter of the Buddhist Compassion Relief Tzu Chi Foundation in Taiwan. A hierarchical stepwise linear regression was used to examine the association between scores on the Satisfaction With Life Scale (SWLS) with the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSES) and the Hedonic and Eudaimonic Motives for Activities-Revised (HEMA-R) scale. The results showed that SWLS was significantly associated with RSES score (standardized beta (std. β) = 0.199, p = 0.003), the eudaimonic subscale score of the HEMA-R (std. β = 0.353, p < 0.001), a vegetarian diet (std. β = 0.143, p = 0.027), and volunteering for five days or more a week (std. β = 0.161, p = 0.011). In conclusion, improving self-esteem and promoting eudaimonic motives in older adults who are formally volunteering could be effective strategies for enhancing their levels of life satisfaction.

Suggested Citation

  • Jo-Tzu Chu & Malcolm Koo, 2023. "Life Satisfaction and Self-Esteem in Older Adults Engaging in Formal Volunteering: A Cross-Sectional Study in Taiwan," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(6), pages 1-11, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:20:y:2023:i:6:p:4934-:d:1094123
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    References listed on IDEAS

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