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Intersections of Home, Health, and Social Engagement in Old Age: Formal Volunteering as a Protective Factor to Health After Relocation
Journal article   Open access   Peer reviewed

Intersections of Home, Health, and Social Engagement in Old Age: Formal Volunteering as a Protective Factor to Health After Relocation

Ernest Gonzales, Huei-Wern Shen, Tam E. Perry and Yi Wang
Research on aging, Vol.41(1), pp.31-53
01/01/2019
DOI: 10.1177/0164027518773125
PMCID: PMC6372301
PMID: 29742961
url
https://doi.org/10.1177/0164027518773125View
Published (Version of record) Open Access

Abstract

This study aims to further our understanding of formal volunteering as a protective mechanism for health in the context of housing relocation and to explore race, gender, and education as moderators. A quasi-experimental design evaluated the effects of volunteering on older adults' health (self-report health, number of instrumental activities of daily living [IADLs], and depressive symptoms) among individuals who relocated but did not volunteer at Time 1 (N = 682) in the Health and Retirement Study (2008-2010). Propensity score weighting examined health differences at Time 2 between 166 volunteers (treated) and 516 nonvolunteers (controlled). Interaction terms tested moderation. Individuals who moved and engaged in volunteering reported higher levels of self-rated health and fewer IADL difficulties compared to the control group. Race moderated the relationship between volunteering and depressive symptoms, while gender moderated the relationship between volunteering and self-assessed health. Formal volunteering protects different dimensions of health after relocation. Volunteering was particularly beneficial for females and older Whites.
Geriatrics & Gerontology Gerontology Life Sciences & Biomedicine Science & Technology

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