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Do predictors of volunteering in older age differ by health status?

Author

Listed:
  • Andrea Principi

    (National Institute of Health and Science on Ageing (INRCA))

  • Henrike Galenkamp

    (VU University Medical Centre)

  • Roberta Papa

    (National Institute of Health and Science on Ageing (INRCA))

  • Marco Socci

    (National Institute of Health and Science on Ageing (INRCA))

  • Bianca Suanet

    (VU University Amsterdam)

  • Andrea Schmidt

    (European Centre for Social Welfare Policy and Research)

  • Katharine Schulmann

    (European Centre for Social Welfare Policy and Research)

  • Stella Golinowska

    (Center for Social and Economic Research (CASE))

  • Agnieszka Sowa

    (Center for Social and Economic Research (CASE))

  • Amilcar Moreira

    (University of Lisbon)

  • Dorly J. H. Deeg

    (VU University Medical Centre)

Abstract

It has been widely recognised that poor health is one of the main barriers to participation in volunteer activities in older age. Therefore, it is crucial to examine the participation of older people in volunteering, especially those in poor health. Based on the resource theory of volunteering, the aim of this study is to better understand the correlates of volunteering among older people with different health statuses, namely those without health problems (neither multimorbidity nor disability), those with mild health problems (multimorbidity or disability), and those with severe health problems (multimorbidity and disability). Data were drawn from the fourth wave (2011–2012, release 1.1.1) of the Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe, which includes European people aged 50 years or older. The results showed that variables linked to volunteering were generally similar regardless of health status, but some differences were nevertheless identified. For older people with mild or severe health problems, for instance, depressive symptoms were negatively associated with their involvement in volunteer activities. We found a positive association of being widowed (rather than married) with volunteering in older people with particularly poor health, whereas high income was associated with volunteering in the case of mild health problems only. These results demonstrate that variables associated with volunteer participation partially differ between older people depending on their health status. These differences should be considered by policy makers in their attempts to promote volunteering in older people, as a means of preventing their social exclusion.

Suggested Citation

  • Andrea Principi & Henrike Galenkamp & Roberta Papa & Marco Socci & Bianca Suanet & Andrea Schmidt & Katharine Schulmann & Stella Golinowska & Agnieszka Sowa & Amilcar Moreira & Dorly J. H. Deeg, 2016. "Do predictors of volunteering in older age differ by health status?," European Journal of Ageing, Springer, vol. 13(2), pages 91-102, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:eujoag:v:13:y:2016:i:2:d:10.1007_s10433-016-0377-0
    DOI: 10.1007/s10433-016-0377-0
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    Cited by:

    1. Rodrigo Serrat & Fredrica Nyqvist & Sandra Torres & Sarah Dury & Marina Näsman, 2023. "Civic engagement among foreign-born and native-born older adults living in Europe: a SHARE-based analysis," European Journal of Ageing, Springer, vol. 20(1), pages 1-12, December.
    2. Francesco Barbabella & Eralba Cela & Claudia Di Matteo & Marco Socci & Giovanni Lamura & Pietro Checcucci & Andrea Principi, 2020. "New Multilevel Partnerships and Policy Perspectives on Active Ageing in Italy: A National Plan of Action," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(24), pages 1-17, December.
    3. Miya Chang, 2022. "Comparative Study on Volunteering among Older Korean Immigrants in the United States and Older Koreans in South Korea," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(12), pages 1-16, June.
    4. Theun Pieter Tienoven & Lyn Craig & Ignace Glorieux & Joeri Minnen, 2022. "Active Participation and Well-Being Among the Elderly in Belgium and the USA: A Cross-National Time-Use Perspective," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 160(2), pages 625-644, April.
    5. Henrike Galenkamp & Dorly J. H. Deeg, 2016. "Increasing social participation of older people: are there different barriers for those in poor health? Introduction to the special section," European Journal of Ageing, Springer, vol. 13(2), pages 87-90, June.
    6. Roberto Falanga & Andreas Cebulla & Andrea Principi & Marco Socci, 2020. "The Participation of Senior Citizens in Policy-Making: Patterning Initiatives in Europe," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(1), pages 1-21, December.
    7. Sara Santini & Flavia Galassi & Johannes Kropf & Vera Stara, 2020. "A Digital Coach Promoting Healthy Aging among Older Adults in Transition to Retirement: Results from a Qualitative Study in Italy," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(18), pages 1-16, September.

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