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Civic Participation as a Promoter of Well-Being: Comparative Analysis among European Countries

Author

Listed:
  • Andrea Vega-Tinoco

    (University of Zaragoza)

  • Ana Isabel Gil-Lacruz

    (University of Zaragoza)

  • Marta Gil-Lacruz

    (University of Zaragoza)

Abstract

Previous research on the direction of the relationship between civic participation and well-being has evidenced that civic participation is a promoter of well-being among older adults in Europe. Accordingly, the objective of the present study is to identify and analyze the differences between European welfare systems regarding both civic participation and well-being. For this purpose, a logistic multilevel regression analysis was performed as an empirical strategy, using the cross-sectional data from the 9 waves of the European Social Survey (2002–2018). Significant differences in well-being were observed, with Anglo-Saxon elders being the healthiest, and the Nordic the happiest and most satisfied with their lives. In contrast, Eastern European seniors reported the lowest levels of well-being. Also, Nordic countries are the most civically engaged, followed by the Continental and Anglo-Saxon, while Mediterranean and Eastern countries engage the least. However, the impact of civic participation on well-being is strongest for the Mediterranean countries, while its impact on satisfaction and happiness is weakest for the Nordic countries. The 3 models of the multilevel analysis indicate that civic participation has a positive impact on health, happiness and life satisfaction, and that this effect is quite robust. Also, by adding country-level macro variables to the model, it is possible to reduce the random effects and hence to better explain these international differences. Concisely, the impact of civic participation on the well-being of the elderly differs across nations and should therefore be considered by policy makers.

Suggested Citation

  • Andrea Vega-Tinoco & Ana Isabel Gil-Lacruz & Marta Gil-Lacruz, 2022. "Civic Participation as a Promoter of Well-Being: Comparative Analysis among European Countries," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 164(1), pages 217-237, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:soinre:v:164:y:2022:i:1:d:10.1007_s11205-022-02947-0
    DOI: 10.1007/s11205-022-02947-0
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Thomas Hansen & Marja Aartsen & Britt Slagsvold & Christian Deindl, 2018. "Dynamics of Volunteering and Life Satisfaction in Midlife and Old Age: Findings from 12 European Countries," Social Sciences, MDPI, vol. 7(5), pages 1-15, May.
    2. Naoki Akaeda, 2021. "Welfare States and the Health Impact of Social Capital: Focusing on the Crowding-Out and Crowding-In Perspectives," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 157(3), pages 841-862, October.
    3. Julia Bredtmann & Fernanda Martinez Flores, 2023. "Does government spending crowd out voluntary labor and donations?," IZA World of Labor, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA), pages 299-299, January.
    4. Ana Gil-Lacruz & Carmen Marcuello, 2013. "Voluntary Work in Europe: Comparative Analysis Among Countries and Welfare Systems," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 114(2), pages 371-382, November.
    5. Richard A. Burns, 2019. "The Utility of Between-Nation Subjective Wellbeing Comparisons Amongst Nations Within the European Social Survey," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 20(3), pages 683-705, March.
    6. Felix Requena, 2010. "Welfare Systems, Support Networks and Subjective Well-Being Among Retired Persons," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 99(3), pages 511-529, December.
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    1. Michal Hrivnák & Peter Moritz & Katarína Melichová & Soňa Bellérová, 2023. "Does Civic Engagement Support Relational and Mental Health of Urban Population?," Societies, MDPI, vol. 13(2), pages 1-16, February.
    2. Yaru Dong & Lingzhong Xu & Shoucai Wu & Wenzhe Qin & Fangfang Hu & Menghua Li & Yanrui Xu, 2022. "The Mediating Effect of Perceived Social Support on Mental Health and Life Satisfaction among Residents: A Cross-Sectional Analysis of 8500 Subjects in Taian City, China," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(22), pages 1-9, November.
    3. Mateusz Marciniak & Sylwia Jaskulska & Slaven Gasparovic & Brigita Janiūnaitė & Jolita Horbačauskienė & Renata Glavak Tkalić, 2022. "The Psychological Well-Being and Civic Engagement of Polish, Croatian and Lithuanian Academic Students during COVID-19 Outbreak," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(18), pages 1-17, September.

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