Formal Volunteering Research Articles

Redirection: An Extension of Career During Retirement

This study explores (a) whether retirees' formal volunteer experiences represent an extension of their career in the paid workforce; and (b) how this integration of life roles affects career self-concept, as interpreted through Donald Super's life-span, life-space theory of career development. A survey was conducted involving a Canadian sample of 214 individuals aged 55-75 years to examine retirees' volunteer activities and their sense of self. The results demonstrate the need to further develop Super's theory with the addition of a new developmental stage, which I am labeling "Redirection" to better reflect postretirement experiences. During "Redirection," retirees develop a "new self." This study indicates that retirees experienced a new stage of "Redirection" and found new meaning through volunteer work during retirement. The results will be of interest to professionals and researchers focused on career development, older workers, and retirement.

OP74 Is ‘volunteering’ a Public Health Intervention: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

BackgroundCommunity participation interventions such as volunteering have been identified in the UK Government’s ‘Building the Big Society’ policy (2010) as a way of engaging people in their local communities and...

Is volunteering a public health intervention? A systematic review and meta-analysis of the health and survival of volunteers.

BackgroundVolunteering has been advocated by the United Nations, and American and European governments as a way to engage people in their local communities and improve social capital, with the potential for public health benefits such as improving wellbeing and decreasing health inequalities. Furthermore, the US Corporation for National and Community Service Strategic Plan for 2011–2015 focused on increasing the impact of national service on community needs, supporting volunteers’ wellbeing, and prioritising recruitment and engagement of underrepresented populations. The aims of this review were to examine the effect of formal volunteering on volunteers’ physical and mental health and survival, and to explore the influence of volunteering type and intensity on health outcomes.MethodsExperimental and cohort studies comparing the physical and mental health outcomes and mortality of a volunteering group to a non-volunteering group were identified from twelve electronic databases (Cochrane Library, Medline, Embase, PsychINFO, CINAHL, ERIC, HMIC, SSCI, ASSIA, Social Care Online, Social Policy and Practice) and citation tracking in January 2013. No language, country or date restrictions were applied. Data synthesis was based on vote counting and random effects meta-analysis of mortality risk ratios.ResultsForty papers were selected: five randomised controlled trials (RCTs, seven papers); four non-RCTs; and 17 cohort studies (29 papers). Cohort studies showed volunteering had favourable effects on depression, life satisfaction, wellbeing but not on physical health. These findings were not confirmed by experimental studies. Meta-analysis of five cohort studies found volunteers to be at lower risk of mortality (risk ratio: 0.78; 95% CI: 0.66, 0.90). There was insufficient evidence to demonstrate a consistent influence of volunteering type or intensity on outcomes.ConclusionObservational evidence suggested that volunteering may benefit mental health and survival although the causal mechanisms remain unclear. Consequently, there was limited robustly designed research to guide the development of volunteering as a public health promotion intervention. Future studies should explicitly map intervention design to clear health outcomes as well as use pragmatic RCT methodology to test effects.

Having a student volunteer program is a win‐win

PurposeThis paper aims to focus on the use of a formal student volunteer program to offset budgetary shortfalls as well as provide opportunities for student learning.Design/methodology/approachThe paper builds the case by citing findings from case studies in the field.FindingsThis paper concludes that a formal strategic program along with identified learning outcomes for the student volunteers will be of benefit to both parties.Originality/valueThe paper is the foundation for the development of the author's own formal program.

Does generosity beget generosity? The relationships between transfer receipt and formal and informal volunteering

This paper examines whether receipt of public or private assistance is associated with recipients’ own generosity in the form of formal and informal volunteering. Using matched data from the 2007–2011 American Time Use Survey and the Annual Social and Economic Supplement to the Current Population Survey, this paper finds that receipt of private assistance from friends and relatives is negatively associated with the time women spend caring for non-household adults and the time men spend caring for non-household children. Receipt of public assistance is found to be negatively associated with men’s care of non-household adults. No associations are found between either type of assistance and time spent volunteering for a formal organization.

Formal and Informal Social Participation of Public, Non-Profit, and Private Employees

Although existing research has focused on the link between employee sector and formal volunteering, no differentiation is made between formal and informal social participation. This study compares the formal and informal social participation of public-, non-profit-, and private-sector employees using recent data from two sources. The results indicate that both government and non-profit employees report higher levels of formal and informal social participation, as measured in several ways. Findings provide a more complete understanding of the multifaceted ways in which citizens can get involved, and emphasize the importance of motivational differences.

Influences of Resources and Subjective Dispositions on Formal and Informal Volunteering

This study investigated the influences of resources and subjective dispositions on formal and informal volunteering. The author examined whether resources are associated with formal volunteering, while subjective dispositions are associated with informal volunteering, using data from representative national Japanese samples (SSP-P2010 data). The results suggested that socioeconomic resources (namely education) are more strongly related to formal volunteering than to informal volunteering, while subjective dispositions (empathy and religious mind) are associated with both formal and informal volunteering. The main finding of the present study was that empathy and religious mind are the essential facilitators of both types of volunteering with different characteristics.

Gender Differences in Formal and Informal Volunteering in Germany

In this study, we examine the gender differences in formal and informal volunteering using data from a Time Use Survey in Germany. Our study finds strong evidence that women are more likely to volunteer formally if they also volunteer informally, suggesting that the decisions are complementary. However, for men the decisions to volunteer formally and informally are not significantly related. Moreover, we find that gender differences in labour force participation cannot explain our results.

Internet Use Among Older Adults: Association With Health Needs, Psychological Capital, and Social Capital

BackgroundPrevious studies have identified socioeconomic status and health status as predictors of older adults’ computer and Internet use, but researchers have not examined the relationships between older adults’ health needs and psychological capital (emotional well-being and self-efficacy) and social capital (social integration/ties and support networks) to different types of Internet use.ObjectiveThis study examined (1) whether older adults’ health conditions and psychological and social capital differentiate Internet users from nonusers, and (2) whether the Internet users differed in their types of Internet use on the basis of their health conditions and psychological and social capital.MethodsData for this study came from the National Health and Aging Trends Study, which is based on a nationally representative sample of US Medicare beneficiaries aged 65 years and older. The sample for this study were those who resided in the community in their own or others’ homes (N=6680). Binary logistic regression analysis was used to compare health needs, psychological capital, and social capital among (1) any type of Internet users and nonusers, (2) Internet users who engaged in health-related tasks and Internet users who did not, (3) Internet users who engaged in shopping/banking tasks and Internet users who did not, and (4) Internet users only used the Internet for email/texting and all other Internet users.ResultsDepressive and anxiety symptoms, measures of psychological capital, were negatively associated with Internet use among older adults (odds ratio [OR] 0.83, 95% CI 0.70-0.98, P=.03 and OR 0.79, 95% CI 0.65-0.97, P=.03, respectively), whereas most measures of social capital were positively associated with Internet use. Having more chronic medical conditions and engaging in formal volunteering increased the odds of Internet use for health-related tasks by 1.15 (95% CI 1.08-1.23, P<.001) and 1.28 (95% CI 1.05-1.57, P=.02), respectively, but anxiety symptoms decreased the odds (OR 0.74, 95% CI 0.55-0.99, P=.05). Religious service attendance was negatively associated with Internet use for shopping/banking activities (OR 0.75, 95% CI 0.62-0.91, P=.01). Anxiety symptoms increased the odds of using the Internet only for emails/texting (OR 1.75, 95% CI 1.12-2.75, P=.02), but formal volunteering decreased the odds (OR 0.63, 95% CI 0.43-0.92, P=.02). Other correlates of Internet use solely for emails/texting were older age (80-84 years and ≥85 years), a black or “other” racial/ethnic background, a high school education or less than high school, and lower income.ConclusionsThe findings point to the importance of social capital in facilitating older adults’ learning and adoption of Internet technology. Older adults who used the Internet for email/texting purposes only were the most socially and economically disadvantaged group of Internet users. Computer/Internet training for older adults and computer/Internet use for various purposes need to consider the significant role their social capital can play.

Giving Up the Keys: How Driving Cessation Affects Engagement in Later Life

Many older adults consider driving vital to maintaining their preferred lifestyle and engagement with society, yet it is normative for individuals to eventually stop driving. This study examined the impact of driving cessation on older adults' productive and social engagement and whether their mental and physical health mediated this relationship. Multilevel modeling was used to analyze longitudinal data (N = 4,788 adults age 65 and over) from the Health and Retirement Study (1998-2010). Productive engagement (paid work, formal volunteering, and informal volunteering) was negatively affected when older adults stopped driving, but social engagement was not immediately compromised by their transition to nondriver status. The role of physical health and mental health as mediators in explaining this relationship was negligible. The results suggest that interventions aimed at maintaining nondrivers' participation in productive roles should focus on factors other than enhancement of health and well-being to spur greater engagement (e.g., availability of and barriers to use of public transportation). Also important in the intervention process is planning for mobility transitions. Future research should test for geographic (e.g., urban vs. rural) differences in the impact of driving cessation on productive and social engagement.

Participation in productive activities and depression among older Europeans: Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe (SHARE)

Although engagement in productive activities is associated with favourable outcomes with respect to the health and well-being of older individuals, the association between such activities and depression in older populations remains relatively unexplored. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the association among five productive activities (paid work, formal volunteering, caregiving, informal helping and caring for grandchildren) with depression in older adults in 14 European countries. This cross-sectional study used the first two waves of data collected by the Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe and analysed a total sample of 7238 relatively healthy community residents aged 60 years and older from 14 European countries. The Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe excluded potential participants with a past history of depression, cognitive impairment and physical limitations. Depression was categorised using the EURO-D instrument, and associations with participating in productive activities were investigated. Depression was less prevalent among those individuals who were employed or self-employed and those who participated in formal volunteering or informal helping, whereas caregiving was associated with a higher risk of depression. Caring for grandchildren was not associated positively or negatively with depression. Formal volunteering and caregiving remained associated with depression after adjustment for age, sex, marital status, education, economic status, country and presence of long-term illness. Availability of formal volunteering may be important in reducing depression risk, whereas caregiving is associated with a higher risk of depression in older European adults. Further research is required to clarify the direction of causation and evaluate interventions.

Between Work and Play: The Gendering of Formal Volunteering Practices in France

Research on women's time-use in France has hitherto focused principally on employment and domestic labour. If leisure time is discussed, it is as a residual element of the analysis and an indicator of how ‘overworked’ particular groups of women are. Moreover, little attention has been paid to how this leftover time is used by women and few studies have discussed how the French gender regime influences men's and women's participation in various possible free-time activities. The present article addresses this gap in current research by discussing one possible use of women's free time, namely formal volunteering. The ways in which the gender regime in France influences the differences in women's and men's formal volunteering practices will be analysed within the constraints of existing secondary data.

Civic engagement and social capital in shippreservation work in Norway: The scope, impact, and demographics of formal volunteering and publicly funded engagements

Introduction: The current focus on volunteering related to civic engagement in Norway has led to a rise in complementary private initiatives and public funding, specifically with regard to the preservation of historic ships. Volunteers for this programme are primarily men aged over 50 years who spend significant amounts of leisure time in municipalities along the coast, fjords, and lakes of Norway. Despite the historical significance of this kind of volunteering, the social capital that is gained and the substantial funding that the Directorate for Cultural Heritage provides, no study has mapped the impact or outcome of these efforts over the past 20 years. Objective: The primary objective has been to study the scope of formal voluntary ship-preservation work in Norway. This article aims to map the volunteers in associations in this programme, the breadth of their efforts, and their motivations. Design: All ships (n = 90) that were funded by the Directorate in 2009 were included in the case study. A qualitative survey of telephone interviews with 82 key informants (100% response rate) was conducted, and questionnaires were mailed to gather descriptive statistics. Results: Age, gender and a robust relationship with the region and the specific ships appear to be relevant to voluntary ship preservation activities. The reasons for commitment and effort were companionship, unity, and memories of and relationship to the specific ships. The strong socio-political aspect of the volunteers’ efforts was reflected in an aggregate of approximately 5.5 million euros in unpaid work. Conclusion: Volunteering in this context is an important component of social capital among elderly men in Norway. The group dynamics and strong collective aspect of these voluntary associations maintain internal cohesion and the members only leave when forced by increasing age, poor health, or insufficient financial resources.

Race Differences in the Relationship Between Formal Volunteering and Hypertension

This study investigated race differences in the relationship between formal volunteering and hypertension prevalence among middle-aged and older adults. Using data from the 2004 and 2006 Health and Retirement Study (N = 5,666; 677 African Americans and 4,989 whites), we examined regression models stratified by race to estimate relationships among hypertension prevalence, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, and volunteer status and hours spent volunteering among persons aged 51 years old and older. White volunteers had a lower risk of hypertension than white nonvolunteers. A threshold effect was also present; compared with nonvolunteers, volunteering a moderate number of hours was associated with lowest risk of hypertension for whites. Results for hypertension were consistent with results from alternative models of systolic and diastolic blood pressure. We found no statistically significant relationship between volunteering activity and hypertension/blood pressure for African Americans. There may be unmeasured cultural differences related to the meaning of volunteering and contextual differences in volunteering that account for the race differences we observed. Research is needed to determine the pathways through which volunteering is related to hypertension risk and that may help explain race differences identified here.

What about the workers? The workforce benefits of corporate volunteer programs

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to explore the workforce benefits associated with formal corporate volunteer initiatives.Design/methodology/approach – An online survey was administered to 26 corporations with formal volunteer programs. A sample of approximately 500 respondents provided the descriptive data described in this manuscript.Findings – The descriptive findings of this research provide a top ten list of workforce benefits associated with formal volunteer initiatives. Benefits include personal and professional development, enhanced workforce camaraderie and teamwork, improved organizational pride, reduction in work‐related stress, and improved work‐life balance.Research limitations/implications – The employees came from a convenience, targeted sample of 26 companies that already had formal volunteer programs in place.Practical implications – These findings make a strong case for organizations to increase and expand their corporate volunteer strategies.Social implications – The implications ...

The Effects of Social Trust and Institutional Trust on Formal Volunteering and Charitable Giving in Japan

This study is part of the growing literature on the effects on civic engagement of attitudinal predictors, such as trust, along with structural predictors. Drawing data from the 2005 Japanese General Social Survey, it examines the association between trust and the probabilities of formal volunteering and charitable giving. A bivariate probit analysis of the data suggests that trust, institutional trust in particular, matters more to predict giving than volunteering. Although the number of membership affiliations is positively and significantly associated with both types of civic engagement, the association between membership affiliations and formal volunteering is significantly greater. Implications of these and other findings are discussed for future studies linking trust to civic engagement in group-collectivist societies such as Japan.

Motivations to Volunteer Among College Students in India

India’s cultural context suggests that student volunteering may be influenced by a constellation of factors. However, scholars have not examined student volunteering in India. Addressing this, we examine motivations to volunteer in a sample of 596 Indian college students. A majority of students volunteered. Three types of volunteering emerged: formal volunteering in non-profit agencies, informal volunteering outside these agencies, and hybrid volunteering consisting of volunteering informally in non-profit agencies. Structural and individual-level factors influenced volunteering. Altruism was associated with volunteering in all three sectors, but did not influence volunteering frequency. Parents, friends, and the internet were salient sources of information that encouraged volunteering. Two instrumental pathways of volunteering emerged: poor- and upper-class students volunteered to secure educational opportunities, while middle-class students volunteered to secure employment. Institutional opportunities to volunteer in religious settings and as mentors facilitated volunteering, while mandated volunteering in educational institutions, decreased engagement in it later.

What Affects Hispanic Volunteering in the United States: Comparing the Current Population Survey, Panel Study of Income Dynamics, and the AIM Giving and Volunteering Survey

This study examines Hispanic formal volunteering and the cultural, social, and community context factors that affect their decision to volunteer. Using data from three surveys in the United States, the study finds that religious attendance, cultural background, and education are the most consistent and significant predictors of Hispanic formal volunteering. Religious attendance has a stronger positive impact on Hispanic volunteering than on non-Hispanics. The impacts of income, social resources, and community characteristics on Hispanics’ volunteering vary by surveys. Secular organizations serving children and youth and religious organizations are the favorite organizations for Hispanic volunteers.

Participation in formal and informal volunteering: Implications for volunteer recruitment

AbstractThis study examines factors influencing “formal” volunteering (that is, to an organization) and “informal” volunteering (that is, volunteering carried out individually outside of an organizational context) and the relationship between these two activities. We hypothesize that formal and informal volunteering activities are positively interrelated but that they are shaped by different types of personal resources: involvement in social networks increases the likelihood of both types of volunteering, but human capital increases the likelihood of formal volunteering rather than informal. The bivariate probit regression results emanating from the Independent Sector's “Giving and Volunteering in the United States, 2001” survey are generally supportive of the hypotheses. The findings suggest that nonprofit and public organizations that involve volunteers consider the pool of informal volunteers as a fertile ground for recruitment and find ways to better utilize older Americans in formal volunteering. The results also suggest that volunteer recruitment through organizational membership may be an effective strategy.

Chinese Communist Youth League, political capital and the legitimising of volunteering in China

In China, the Chinese Communist Youth League (CYL) has been the most important impetus for formal volunteering since the early 1990s. This article begins by scrutinising the historical and institutional impulses that motivate the CYL to promote volunteering, and examines the CYL's major role in legitimatising volunteering in the past 20 years. Findings suggest that the ascribed political capital of the CYL has bestowed enough power to legitimise volunteering under the current regime, and in turn, the efforts in legitimising possibly re-enhanced the CYL's political capital. First, as a policymaker, the CYL has established a national monitoring system to legitimise volunteering. Second, as a policy executor, the CYL prefers to legitimatise grassroots voluntary service organisations in a flexible way, rather than just strictly following the written rules. In addition, the CYL's special political status affiliated with the Chinese Communist Party also indicates that, in essence, the CYL's potential in legitimisation is contingent on broader institutional change in China.