Changes in Resources and Volunteering: A Longitudinal Study of Active Engagement Among Older Europeans

Volunteering is an important dimension of successful aging. Although prior studies have found that personal resources such as health and financial situations are associated with volunteering, there is a lack of research exploring the relationship between resource changes and volunteering. Here, researchers investigated whether changes in individuals' resources were associated with volunteer engagement among older Europeans.

Using data from the Survey of Health, Aging, and Retirement in Europe, collected in 5 waves between 2011 and 2020 across 19 countries (57 410 observations from 17 498 individuals aged 50 and older), researchers employed asymmetric fixed-effect ordinal regression models to investigate whether positive or negative resource changes were associated with the frequency of volunteering over time. Researchers used 3 resource indicators: health, financial condition, and time availability (measured by engagement in paid work, grandparenting, and family care).

Health deterioration and worsening financial condition were associated with a decreased frequency of volunteering. A transition out of weekly paid work and beginning to provide weekly grandchild care were both associated with an increased frequency of volunteering. Researchers did not detect any further significant effects of resource changes on volunteering.

Researchers study revealed asymmetrical associations between changes in resources and volunteering, providing new insights into their interplay. The results deepen researcher's understanding of successful aging by emphasizing the need to consider the dynamics of all resources that either facilitate or hinder active engagements among older adults.