Back to Search
Start Over
Environmental volunteering and health outcomes over a 20-year period
- Source :
- The Gerontologist. Oct, 2010, Vol. 50 Issue 5, p594, 9 p.
- Publication Year :
- 2010
-
Abstract
- Purpose: This study tested the hypothesis that volunteering in environmental organizations in midlife is associated with greater physical activity and improved mental and physical health over a 20-year period. Design and Methods: The study used data from two waves (1974 and 1994) of the Alameda County Study, a longitudinal study of health and mortality that has followed a cohort of 6,928 adults since 1965. Using logistic and multiple regression models, we examined the prospective association between environmental and other volunteerism and three outcomes (physical activity, self-reported health, and depression), with 1974 volunteerism predicting 1994 outcomes, controlling for a number of relevant covariates. Results: Midlife environmental volunteering was significantly associated with physical activity, self-reported health, and depressive symptoms. Implications: This population-based study offers the first epidemiological evidence for a significant positive relationship between environmental volunteering and health and well-being outcomes. Further research, including intervention studies, is needed to confirm and shed additional light on these initial findings. Key Words: Volunteerism and civic engagement, Health, Well-being doi: 10.1093/geront/gnq007
- Subjects :
- Volunteerism -- Health aspects
Aged -- Health aspects
Health
Seniors
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 00169013
- Volume :
- 50
- Issue :
- 5
- Database :
- Gale General OneFile
- Journal :
- The Gerontologist
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- edsgcl.238652578