en perspective Original Article <div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size:12px;"><b>Background:</b> 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.<br> <b>Methods:</b> 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&#39;s Voluntary Activities Questionnaire and Ryff&#39;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.<br> <b>Results:</b> The mean scores of voluntary motivation and psychological well-being among the elderly were 180.01&plusmn;11.79 and 64.72&plusmn;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).<br> <b>Conclusion</b>: 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.</span></span></div> Volunteers, Aged, Psychological Well-Being, Motivation 52 57 http://nmj.goums.ac.ir/browse.php?a_code=A-10-8-34&slc_lang=en&sid=1 Zahra Sheibani zahrasheibani1376@gmail.com 100319475328460015678 100319475328460015678 No Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery, Golestan University of Medical Sciences, Gorgan, Golestan, Iran Akram Sanagoo sanagoo@goums.ac.ir 100319475328460015679 100319475328460015679 Yes Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery, Golestan University of Medical Sciences, Gorgan, Golestan, Iran Fatemeh Mehravar Mehravar10261@yahoo.com 100319475328460015680 100319475328460015680 No Ischemic Disorders Research Center, Golestan University of Medical Sciences, Gorgan, Golestan, Iran Leila Jouybari jouybari@goums.ac.ir 100319475328460015681 100319475328460015681 No Nursing Research Center, Golestan University of Medical Sciences, Gorgan, Golestan, Iran