More than help? – The relationship between volunteering and mental well-being and health among young Hungarian volunteers
Fanni Radnai
Abstract
The psychosocial impacts of volunteering have gained significant attention following the Covid-19 pandemic, particularly due to the growing importance of social participation and strengthening community connections. The aim of this research was to explore the mental well-being and health of young Hungarian volunteers aged 18–35, considering the role of demographic factors and volunteering habits. The key research question was how and to what extent volunteering contributes to the l mental well-being and the stability of young people. The research examined 112 young volunteers participtingin the full sample (492 individuals) of the Eszterházy Károly Catholic University Faculty of Pedagogy's School Psychology Department survey.The 112 participants were also compared with the full sample. The mental health of these non-representative young volunteers was assessed using the WHO-5 Well-Being Index and the DASS-21 questionnaire measuring stress, anxiety, and depression. The results were analyzed based on sociodemographic factors and key dimensions of volunteering. Mann-Whitney tests were used to uncover differences between groups. Among the functional dimensions of volunteering (activity area, years of volunteering, frequency, and satisfaction), satisfaction with volunteering had the greatest impact on the mental well-being of young volunteers: those who were more satisfied showed significantly higher well-being scores. According to the DASS-21 results, occasional volunteers had significantly higher stress, anxiety, and depression scores than regular volunteers, indicating that those who engage in volunteering more frequently have lower stress indicators. This research confirms that volunteering does not only benefit the community, but it also plays a significant role in improving the mental well-being and emotional stability of volunteers, particularly young people.
Keywords: colunteering, young people, mental health, community engagement