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Helping Others is Good for You
by Nancy Eustis May 26, 2010
In a recent article on retirement in AARP’s The Magazine on retirement, a newly retired, sixty-something womansaid, “Whenever I feel sad, I do something for somebodyelse.” Volunteering is one way to help others.
It can also be a way to help yourself, to improve your mental health. United Healthcare and VolunteerMatch recently conducted an online survey of approximately 4,500 Americans to assess the relationship between their perceptions of physical and mental health and their propensity to volunteer. Participants reflected the demographic profile of the U.S. population in diversity of age, ethnicity, geographic location, etc.
The study found a positive relationship between volunteering and a sense of purpose, optimism, and meaning. Ninety-two percent of participants who volunteered agreed that volunteering enriches their sense of purpose in life.
According to the study, adults of all ages who volunteer are significantly more likely:
- To characterize themselves as optimistic: 72% versus 60%.
- To rate their overall satisfaction with their lives as very good: 36% versus 26%.
- To say they have a very good sense of meaning in their lives: 42% versus 28%.
- To say they have a very good sense of purpose in their lives: 40% versus 27%.
For persons 65 and older, the results were equally positive. Compared to individuals who don’t volunteer, older adults who volunteer are:
- Significantly more likely to say they are satisfied with their emotional well-being.
- Significantly more likely to indicate that they disappointment. are very or quite able to recover from loss and
- Significantly less likely to report feelings of hopelessness and helplessness.
The study does not address which comes first, feeling good or volunteering, but other studies have found that an increase in well-being can result from volunteering. These positive effects seem to hold true for all genders and ethnicities. No information is available on whether the income of respondents affects results.
This study and other studies that I reviewed for this article are inconsistent about whether the positive gains are greater if the volunteer feels that the work she or he is doing benefits others. And the most positive outcomes are for individuals who volunteer 100 hours or more per year.
Volunteering is only one avenue to the mental health gains associated with assisting and being involved with others. Many older adults find purpose and meaning in life by looking out for family members and friends, and by being helpful as needed. Even those of us who rely on assistance from others on a regular basis can show interest in our aides or assistants and offer our encouragement and gratitude.
If you are interested in details about the survey discussed in this article or more information about benefits of volunteering, see www.dogoodlivewell.org/UnitedHealthcare_VolunteerMatch_DoGoodLiveWell_Survey.pdf.
The Health Benefits of Volunteering: A Review of Recent Research, from the Corporation for National and Community Service, Offce of Research and Policy Development , Washington, DC 2007, provides a helpful summary of research on the benefits of volunteering.
