The link between mental health and volunteering within the framework of age characteristics – further insights from a Hungarian study
László Dorner - Ágnes Bene
Abstract
The study of volunteering is significant across all age groups, with its effects particularly evident in older adulthood, when social roles change and external influences diminish. Our research aims to examine different aspects of volunteering by age, including its prevalence, its perceived meaningfulness, and its association with mental and physical well-being. The study sample included 492 individuals (26.4 percent, with 130 people over the age of 65) who volunteer in Hungary. The sample was diverse in terms of age, demographic characteristics, and fields of activity. Validated questionnaires were used for online data collection between February and May 2024. The results show that the frequency of volunteering tends to increase with age, and it is typically carried out as a regular activity. The meaningfulness of volunteering was evaluated across three dimensions. Among these, the role of "meaning-making through work" and "motivation for the greater good" showed a decreasing significance among individuals aged 65 and older. In the non-representative sample, the average scores on the WHO Well-being and Mental Health Continuum scales were higher across all age groups, and negative emotional states—such as anxiety, depression, and stress—were lower across all age groups compared to previous national studies on non-volunteers, with this effect being particularly pronounced for age 55 and over. Experiencing life as meaningful tends to increase with age, but there are no significant age differences in the search for meaning in life. In terms of social well-being, volunteering has a particularly positive effect on individuals aged 65 and older, who are the most likely to form close emotional connections through their volunteer work. The findings indicate that volunteering can enhance psychological and social well-being across all age groups. However, it plays a particularly crucial role for older adults in fostering positive ageing, especially by supporting and enriching social relationships.
Keywords: volunteering, ageing, psychological well-being, mental health, social well-being