ERIC Number: EJ1219140
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2019-Jul
Pages: 9
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0165-0254
EISSN: N/A
The Effects of Subjective Life Expectancy on Volunteerism in Older Adults
Lee, Kyuho; Kim, Dahee; Gilligan, Megan; Martin, Peter
International Journal of Behavioral Development, v43 n4 p342-350 Jul 2019
Previous studies used chronological age to examine the relationship between aging and volunteerism. In the current study, we examined the influence of subjective life expectancy (SLE) on volunteering based on the socioemotional selectivity theory emphasizing that older adults focus on very close relationships. Data of 11,203 older adults, 55 to 74 years old (M = 65.0, SD = 5.6), from five waves (2006-2014) of the Health and Retirement Study were included. Growth curve modeling results showed that older adults with higher SLE scores at baseline not only spent more time volunteering but also showed a slower decrease in volunteering over time. Furthermore, changes in older adults' SLE were associated with a change in volunteering. The findings may show the relative importance of close relationships and social activities for older adults and contribute to demystifying the differences shown in the volunteer participation among older adults.
Descriptors: Mortality Rate, Expectation, Older Adults, Volunteers, Interpersonal Relationship, Longitudinal Studies, Adults, Attitudes, Age Differences, Race, Educational Attainment, Well Being, Correlation, Time, Participant Characteristics
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A

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