Volunteer Participation and Loneliness in the Elderly: An Empirical Study Based on CHARLS 2018

Abstract

Based on the empirical research data collected from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Survey (CHARLS) in 2018, this study examines the specific impacts of two types of volunteering on loneliness among elderly individuals in China. Additionally, it investigates various demographic, socioeconomic, physical health, and family intergenerational support factors that may influence the relationship between these variables. The findings of this investigation demonstrate that both group-driven volunteer service and individual active volunteer service significantly contribute to reducing loneliness among older adults. However, there exist four distinct demographic disparities: variations in age, differences in empty nest situations, disparities based on gender, and discrepancies in economic status. Consequently, to address the issue of elderly loneliness effectively, this study primarily proposes four key approaches: guiding the elderly towards embracing social participation as a concept; emphasizing the development of community social capital; enhancing volunteer service design; and increasing investment in volunteer services for the elderly. These measures aim to foster an inclusive environment that encourages active engagement among older adults while providing them with convenient avenues to participate in volunteer activities. This study empirically investigates the evolution of social engagement among elderly individuals in China, offering novel research perspectives on public involvement in addressing the challenges associated with elderly care services.