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    Aspects of the volunteering experience associated with well-being in older adults

    90596.pdf (366.9Kb)
    Access Status
    Open access
    Authors
    Jongenelis, Michelle
    Pettigrew, Simone
    Date
    2021
    Type
    Journal Article
    
    Metadata
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    Citation
    Jongenelis, M.I. and Pettigrew, S. 2021. Aspects of the volunteering experience associated with well-being in older adults. Health Promotion Journal of Australia. 32 (S2): pp. 384-390.
    Source Title
    Health Promotion Journal of Australia
    DOI
    10.1002/hpja.399
    ISSN
    1036-1073
    Faculty
    Faculty of Health Sciences
    School
    School of Psychology
    EnAble Institute
    Funding and Sponsorship
    http://purl.org/au-research/grants/arc/DP140100365
    Remarks

    This is the peer reviewed version of the following article: Jongenelis, MI, Pettigrew, S. Aspects of the volunteering experience associated with well-being in older adults. Health Promot J Austral. 2021; 32( S2): 384– 390, which has been published in final form at https://doi.org/10.1002/hpja.399. This article may be used for non-commercial purposes in accordance with Wiley Terms and Conditions for Use of Self-Archived Versions.

    URI
    http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/90772
    Collection
    • Curtin Research Publications
    Abstract

    Issues addressed: While the psychological health benefits of older people's engagement in formal volunteering are well-documented, there is limited research assessing how volunteering may produce these favourable outcomes. To guide the development of volunteer positions that optimise outcomes, this study examined (a) which aspects of the volunteering experience are most strongly associated with favourable psychological health among older adults and (b) whether relationships between these aspects and psychological outcomes are moderated by sociodemographic characteristics. Methods: A sample of 293 volunteers aged 60+ years (69% female, mean age = 73.33 years) completed measures assessing their engagement in volunteering, various aspects of their volunteer experience, and their psychological health. Results: Being adequately appreciated for one's contribution, perceived social and mental intensity of the volunteer role, and believing that others benefit from one's volunteering efforts were found to be associated with higher levels of psychological health. Conclusions: Ensuring the contributions of volunteers are explicitly recognised, providing opportunities for engagement in social and cognitive activities, and informing volunteers of the benefits others experience constitute potential means of enhancing volunteer outcomes and may assist with volunteer retention. So what?: This study builds upon the limited research assessing which aspects of the volunteering experience are most strongly associated with favourable psychological health among older adults. The findings point to the potential importance of four specific aspects of the volunteer experience in enhancing psychological health outcomes.

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