1- Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery, Golestan University of Medical Sciences, Gorgan, Golestan, Iran
2- Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery, Golestan University of Medical Sciences, Gorgan, Golestan, Iran ,sanagoo@goums.ac.ir
3- Ischemic Disorders Research Center, Golestan University of Medical Sciences, Gorgan, Golestan, Iran
2- Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery, Golestan University of Medical Sciences, Gorgan, Golestan, Iran ,
3- Ischemic Disorders Research Center, Golestan University of Medical Sciences, Gorgan, Golestan, Iran
Abstract: (6 Views)
Background: Participatory actions and voluntary behaviors play a significant role in the health of elderly individuals. Evidence suggests that engagement in voluntary work positively impacts health, psychological well-being, and even longevity, with these benefits being particularly pronounced among older adults. The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between motivation for volunteer activities and psychological well-being in elderly individuals.
Methods: An analytical cross-sectional study was conducted involving 496 elderly individuals, selected through a multi-stage non-random sampling method, at comprehensive health service centers in Golestan Province, Northern Iran, in 2023. Data were collected through Clary's Voluntary Activities Questionnaire and Ryff's Psychological Well-Being Questionnaire. The data were analyzed using Pearson correlation tests, independent t-tests, chi-square tests, and ANOVA by SPSS v.26, all at a significance level of 0.05.
Results: The mean scores of voluntary motivation and psychological well-being among the elderly were 180.01±11.79 and 64.72±5.30, respectively. The results of the Pearson correlation test indicated a positive and significant relationship between the total score of voluntary functions and the total score of psychological well-being (r=0.1, p = 0.03).
Conclusion: Motivation for volunteer activities may be a significant factor in enhancing the psychological well-being of elderly individuals. Therefore, it is essential for policymakers in elderly health to create conditions that encourage participation in voluntary activities to promote psychological well-being.
Methods: An analytical cross-sectional study was conducted involving 496 elderly individuals, selected through a multi-stage non-random sampling method, at comprehensive health service centers in Golestan Province, Northern Iran, in 2023. Data were collected through Clary's Voluntary Activities Questionnaire and Ryff's Psychological Well-Being Questionnaire. The data were analyzed using Pearson correlation tests, independent t-tests, chi-square tests, and ANOVA by SPSS v.26, all at a significance level of 0.05.
Results: The mean scores of voluntary motivation and psychological well-being among the elderly were 180.01±11.79 and 64.72±5.30, respectively. The results of the Pearson correlation test indicated a positive and significant relationship between the total score of voluntary functions and the total score of psychological well-being (r=0.1, p = 0.03).
Conclusion: Motivation for volunteer activities may be a significant factor in enhancing the psychological well-being of elderly individuals. Therefore, it is essential for policymakers in elderly health to create conditions that encourage participation in voluntary activities to promote psychological well-being.
Type of study: Original Article |
Subject:
perspective
References
1. World Health Organization (WHO). Ageing and health. Key facts. [View at Publisher]
2. Results of the 2016 Census. Summary of the results of the 2016 general population and housing census. Statistical Center of Iran. [View at Publisher]
3. National Institute for Population Research (NIPR), IRAN. The Ministry of Science, Research and Technology of the Islamic Republic of Iran. Increase in the elderly population at a rate equivalent to five times the population growth. Online Published: 14 December 2024. [View at Publisher]
4. Fernandes L, Paúl C. Editorial: Aging and Mental Health. Frontiers in aging neuroscience. 2017;9:25. [View at Publisher] [DOI] [PMID] [Google scholar]
5. World Health Organization. Mental health of older adults. Geneva, 20 October 2023. [View at Publisher]
6. Ruiz-Comellas A, Sauch Valmaña G, Mendioroz Peña J, Roura Poch P, Sabata Carrera A, Cornet Pujol I, et al. Physical activity, emotional state and socialization in the elderly: study protocol for a clinical multicentre randomized trial. 2021;49(6):3000605211016735. [View at Publisher] [DOI] [PMID] [Google scholar]
7. Callow DD, Arnold-Nedimala NA, Jordan LS, Pena GS, Won J, Woodard JL, Smith JC. The Mental Health Benefits of Physical Activity in Older Adults Survive the COVID-19 Pandemic. Am J Geriatr Psychiatry. 2020 Oct;28(10):1046-1057. [View at Publisher] [DOI] [PMID] [Google scholar]
8. Santini ZI, Jose PE, York Cornwell E, Koyanagi A, Nielsen L, Hinrichsen C, et al. Social disconnectedness, perceived isolation, and symptoms of depression and anxiety among older Americans (NSHAP): a longitudinal mediation analysis. The Lancet Public health. 2020;5(1):e62-e70. [View at Publisher] [DOI] [PMID] [Google scholar]
9. UNESCO. Diversity of cultural expressions. Promoting participation in arts and cultural activities by the elderly. [View at Publisher]
10. Sims-Gould J, Franke T, Lusina-Furst S, McKay HA. Community health promotion programs for older adults: What helps and hinders implementation. Health Science Reports. 2020;3(1):e144. doi: 10.1002/hsr2.144 [View at Publisher] [DOI] [PMID] [Google scholar]
11. Jongenelis MI, Jackson B, Warburton J, Newton RU, Pettigrew S. Aspects of formal volunteering that contribute to favourable psychological outcomes in older adults. Eur J Ageing. 2021 Apr 18;19(1):107-116. [View at Publisher] [DOI] [PMID] [Google scholar]
12. Guiney H, Keall M, Machado L. Volunteering in older adulthood is associated with activity engagement and cognitive functioning. 2021;28(2):253-69. [View at Publisher] [DOI] [PMID] [Google scholar]
13. Yeung JWK, Zhang Z, Kim TY. Volunteering and health benefits in general adults: cumulative effects and forms. BMC Public Health. 2017;18(1):1-8. [View at Publisher] [DOI] [PMID] [Google scholar]
14. Tierney S, Mahtani KR, Wong G, Todd J, Roberts N, Akinyemi O, et al. The role of volunteering in supporting well-being - What might this mean for social prescribing? A best-fit framework synthesis of qualitative research. Health & Social Care in the Community. 2022;30(2):e325-e46. [View at Publisher] [DOI] [PMID] [Google scholar]
15. Niebuur J, van Lente L, Liefbroer AC, Steverink N, Smidt N. Determinants of participation in voluntary work: a systematic review and meta-analysis of longitudinal cohort studies. BMC Public Health. 2018;18(1):1213. [View at Publisher] [DOI] [PMID] [Google scholar]
16. Eibich P, Lorenti A, Mosca I. Does retirement affect voluntary work provision? Evidence from Europe and the U.S. Labour Economics. 2022;76:102185. [View at Publisher] [DOI] [Google scholar]
17. Filges T, Siren A, Fridberg T, Nielsen BCV. Voluntary work for the physical and mental health of older volunteers: A systematic review. Campbell Systematic Reviews. 2020;16(4):e1124. [View at Publisher] [DOI] [PMID] [Google scholar]
18. Motivation. APA Dictionary of Psychology. [View at Publisher]
19. Gil-Lacruz M, Saz-Gil MI, Gil-Lacruz AI. Benefits of Older Volunteering on Wellbeing: An International Comparison. Frontiers in psychology. 2019;10. [View at Publisher] [DOI] [PMID] [Google scholar]
20. Bieda A, Hirschfeld G, Schönfeld P, Brailovskaia J, Lin M, Margraf J. Happiness, life satisfaction and positive mental health: Investigating reciprocal effects over four years in a Chinese student sample. Journal of Research in Personality. 2019;78:198-209. [View at Publisher] [DOI] [Google scholar]
21. Bjälkebring P, Västfjäll D, Dickert S, Slovic P. Greater Emotional Gain from Giving in Older Adults: Age-Related Positivity Bias in Charitable Giving. Frontiers in psychology. 2016;7:846. [View at Publisher] [DOI] [Google scholar]
22. Bekkers R, Wiepking P. A Literature Review of Empirical Studies of Philanthropy: Eight Mechanisms That Drive Charitable Giving. Nonprofit and Voluntary Sector Quarterly. 2010;40(5):924-73. [View at Publisher] [DOI] [Google scholar]
23. Serrat-Graboleda E, González-Carrasco M, Casas Aznar F, Malo Cerrato S, Cámara Liebana D, Roqueta-Vall-Llosera M. Factors Favoring and Hindering Volunteering by Older Adults and Their Relationship with Subjective Well-Being: A Mixed-Method Approach. 2021;18(13). [View at Publisher] [DOI] [PMID] [Google scholar]
24. Borgonovi F. Doing well by doing good. The relationship between formal volunteering and self-reported health and happiness. Social Science & Medicine. 2008;66(11):2321-34. [View at publisher] [DOI] [PMID] [Google Scholar]
25. Clary EG, Snyder M, Ridge RD, Copeland J, Stukas AA, Haugen J, et al. Understanding and assessing the motivations of volunteers: A functional approach. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology. 1998;74:1516-30. [View at publisher] [DOI] [PMID] [Google Scholar]
26. Varzaneh Hatami A., Khanipour H., Fathi E., Habibi N. Psychometric Properties of the Persian Version of Volunteer Functions Inventory. Cultural Psychology, 2021, 5(1): 283-303. [View at publisher] [DOI] [Google Scholar]
27. Erasmus B, Morey P. Faith-Based Volunteer Motivation: Exploring the Applicability of the Volunteer Functions Inventory to the Motivations and Satisfaction Levels of Volunteers in an Australian Faith-Based Organisation. Voluntas.2016; 27(3):1343-1360. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s11266-016-9717-0 [View at publisher] [DOI] [Google Scholar]
28. Chacón F, Gutiérrez G, Sauto V, Vecina ML, Pérez A. Volunteer Functions Inventory: A systematic review. Psicothema. 2017;29(3):306-16. [View at publisher] [DOI] [PMID] [Google Scholar]
29. Ryff CD. Happiness is everything, or is it? Explorations on the meaning of psychological well-being. Journal of personality and social psychology. 1989;57(6):1069. http://dx.doi.org/10.1037/0022-3514.57.6.1069 [View at publisher] [DOI] [Google Scholar]
30. Khanjani M, Shahidi S, Fathabadi J, Mazaheri MA, Shokri O. Factor structure and psychometric properties of the Ryff's scale of Psychological well-being, short form (18-item) among male and female students. Thoughts and Behavior in Clinical Psychology. 2014;9(32):27-36. [View at publisher] [Google Scholar]
31. Ryff C, Singer B. From social structure to biology. Handbook of positive psychology. 2002;63:73. [View at publisher] [Google Scholar]
32. Jiang D, Warner LM. Benefits of volunteering on psychological well-being in older adulthood: evidence from a randomized controlled trial. 2021;25(4):641-9. [View at publisher] [DOI:10.1080/13607863.2020.1711862] [PMID] [Google Scholar]
33. Mellor D, Hayashi Y, Cummins R, Stokes M, Firth L, Lake L, et al. Volunteering and Its Relationship With Personal and Neighborhood Well-Being. Nonprofit and Voluntary Sector Quarterly 2007;38(1). [View at publisher] [DOI] [Google Scholar]
34. Grinshteyn EG, Sugar JA. Active Aging through Volunteerism: A Longitudinal Assessment of Perceived Neighborhood Safety as a Predictor among Older Adults, 2008-2018. Biomed Res Int. 2021 Oct 27;2021:5185264. [View at publisher] [DOI] [PMID] [Google Scholar]
35. Dávila M.C. The Relationship between Social Networks and Volunteerism among Seniors. Journal of Social Service Research 2017; 44 (1): 38-49. [View at publisher] [DOI] [Google Scholar]
36. Webster NJ, Ajrouch KJ, Antonucci TC. Volunteering and health: The role of social network change. Soc Sci Med. 2021 Sep;285:114274. doi: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2021.114274. [View at publisher] [DOI] [PMID] [Google Scholar]
37. Nichol B, Wilson R, Rodrigues A, Haighton C. Exploring the Effects of Volunteering on the Social, Mental, and Physical Health and Well-being of Volunteers: An Umbrella Review. Voluntas. 2023 May 4:1-32. doi: 10.1007/s11266-023-00573-z. [View at publisher] [DOI] [PMID] [Google Scholar]
Send email to the article author
| Rights and permissions | |
 |
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License. |
