Contrary to what one might think, volunteering with associations would not have a significant influence on well-being, reveal two studies.
- Several studies have shown that practicing a voluntary activity is beneficial for the health of seniors. This allows in particular to maintain social ties and to maintain one’s memory.
- However, engaging in social activities can also carry risks, especially when you are a woman of a certain age. A study published last year showed that they were more likely to be victims of emotional abuse or mistreatment.
Joining volunteer firefighters, donating your time in homeless shelters, helping to supply food banks, ensuring the preservation of the environment… So many altruistic and civic initiatives that can change the lives of people who need, but also those who are committed to structures and associations.
But while civic engagement and volunteering can indeed bring structure and meaning to life, they do not specifically improve well-being. This is highlighted by two studies carried out in Germany and the United Kingdom by researchers from the universities of Vechta and Bochum, and published respectively in the Journal of Happiness Studies and in Social Indicators Research.
Not seeking happiness in civic engagement
To reach this conclusion, the researchers analyzed two data sets of 17,720 and 18,550 participants, who indicated the frequency of their political (for example, in political parties or citizens’ initiatives) and non-political (for example, example, related to the church).
The well-being of the participants was assessed using multiple indicators: life satisfaction, emotional well-being, low loneliness, control beliefs… The researchers tried to determine whether the participants reported higher well-being in years when they were comparatively more civically engaged (or engaged at all) than in years when their civic engagement was weaker or non-existent.
And, with few exceptions, the answer was “no”. In both Germany and the UK, older people seem to benefit from non-political engagement because their life satisfaction was higher in years when they were more frequently engaged. However, this difference was small and not observed for other well-being indicators. Other leisure activities, such as socializing with friends and acquaintances, sometimes showed more pronounced associations with participants’ well-being, also at older ages.
A commitment to the service of others, not for one’s own happiness
The authors of the studies admit that it is possible that civic engagement improves the well-being of the people engaged in certain contexts, depending on their needs, the place where the activity takes place or even their sound. However, these benefits do not appear to be universal. People who are civically engaged should therefore not expect their activity to make them happier.
Thereby, “the purported benefits of engagement for those engaged should not be key incentives in volunteer recruitment messaging”say the researchers. “The real purpose of civic engagement remains unchanged: voluntary contributions to the common good and to the democratic processes of society. They have little to do with self-interest.”
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