Volunteerism, Health, and Civic Engagement among Older Adults

Autor/inn/en	Gottlieb, Benjamin H.; Gillespie, Alayna A.
Titel	Volunteerism, Health, and Civic Engagement among Older Adults
Quelle	In: Canadian Journal on Aging, 27 (2008) 4, S.399-406 (8 Seiten) PDF als Volltext Verfügbarkeit
Sprache	englisch
Dokumenttyp	gedruckt; online; Zeitschriftenaufsatz
ISSN	0714-9808
DOI	10.3138/cja.27.4.399
Schlagwörter	Human Services; Altruism; Baby Boomers; Older Adults; Volunteers; Citizen Participation; Health Services; Literature Reviews; Motivation; Psychological Patterns; Mental Health; Physical Health; Aging (Individuals); Theories + Suchen Sie Ihr Suchwort? Humanitäre Hilfe; Altruistic behavior; Altruismus; Älterer Erwachsener; Freiwilliger; 'Citizen participation; Citizens'' participation'; Bürgerbeteiligung; Health service; Gesundheitsdienst; Gesundheitswesen; psychologische; Motivation (psychologisch); Psychohygiene; Gesundheitszustand; Aging; Altern; Theory; Theorie
Abstract	In North America, 40-50 per cent of older adults are actively involved as formal volunteers in providing diverse health and human services. We review empirical studies concerning older adults' motivations for volunteering, as well as the health and morale benefits they derive from this expression of altruism. Knowledge of the exact nature and amount of volunteer activity necessary to produce these effects is limited, and studies have yet to identify the behavioural and psychological mechanisms that are implicated. We propose that older adult volunteers may enjoy good health and longevity because being useful to others instills a sense of being needed and valued. We present several theoretical perspectives on the developmental significance of volunteering, discuss the challenges to volunteerism imposed by the baby boom cohort, and identify future research priorities. (As Provided).
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Erfasst von	ERIC (Education Resources Information Center), Washington, DC
Update	2017/4/10