Volunteering Among Adults Aged 50+ and their Motivations for Volunteering: The Case of Europe

Yıl 2021, Sayı: 64, 163 - 182, 29.12.2021

Ferhan Saniye Palaz

https://doi.org/10.26650/JECS2020-803795

Öz

For older adults, volunteering has the capacity to increase social inclusion and well-being. Even though volunteering trends in this group have been studied, knowledge of their motivations for volunteering is scarce. This article investigates the socio-demographic determinants of older adults’ participation in volunteering and their motivation for doing so. Using microdata from the Survey of Health, Aging, and Retirement in Europe, we evaluate the relationship between socio-demographic characteristics and volunteering and its motivations using chi-square tests, Cochran-Armitage trend test, and quadratic regression analysis. We investigated individuals aged 50+ in 11 countries (n = 26931). The results show that 12.5% of the sample does volunteer work, and the frequency of volunteering initially increases by age and then decreases. Volunteering is more common among men, partnered individuals, and those whose perceived health and economic status are good. Differences are visible between countries, which could be partially explained by their welfare regime. The most frequent motivations for volunteering observed by us are as follows: 1) to contribute something useful, 2) to meet other people, 3) enjoyment of the volunteer activity, and 4) feeling needed as a volunteer.

Anahtar Kelimeler

Active aging, volunteerism, motivations for volunteering, older volunteers, Survey of Health, Aging, and Retirement in Europe

50+ Nüfusun Gönüllülüğe Katılımı ve Gönüllülük Motivasyonları: Avrupa Örneği

Öz

Yaşlı nüfus oranı artmaktadır ve uzayan ömürlerde sağlıklı yılların aktif yaşlanma pratikleriyle desteklenmesi önem kazanmaktadır. Gönüllülük; sosyal hayata dahil olmaya, topluma katkı sağlamaya ve serbest zamanın kişisel ilgilere uygun olarak değerlendirilmesine imkan tanımaktadır. Bu makalenin amacı 50 yaş ve üzeri nüfusun gönüllülüğe katılımını ve gönüllülük motivasyonlarını değerlendirmektir. Bu nüfus grubunun gönüllülük eğilimlerini ele alan araştırmalar olsa da, gönüllülük motivasyonları üzerine yapılmış çalışma sayısı yetersizdir. Araştırmada sosyo-demografik özelliklerle 1) gönüllülük ve 2) gönüllülük motivasyonları arasındaki ilişki incelenmiştir. Araştırma tarama modelinde olup nicel veri analizi yapılmıştır. Veri kaynağı SHARE araştırmasının birinci dalgasıdır. Örneklemde 11 ülke (n=26931) vardır. Değişkenlerin özelliklerine uygun olarak ki-kare testi, Cochran-Armitage trend testi ve kuadratik regresyon analizi uygulanmıştır. Sonuçlara göre örneklemin %12,5’i gönüllülüğe katılmaktadır. Yaşla birlikte gönüllülük önce artmakta, 75+ yaş grubu itibariyle azalmaktadır. Ülkeler arasında kısmen refah rejimiyle açıklanabilecek farklılıklar vardır. Eşi olanlar, erkekler, algılanan sağlık durumu ve ekonomik durumu iyi olanlar gönüllüğe daha çok katılmaktadır. Eğitim düzeyi yükseldikçe gönüllülük artmaktadır. Gönüllülük motivasyonları arasında faydalı bir şeye katkı sağlama amacı, gönüllülükten keyif alınması, kendilerine ihtiyaç duyulması ve insanlarla tanışmak öne çıkmaktadır.

Anahtar Kelimeler

Aktif yaşlanma, gönüllülük, gönüllülük motivasyonları, yetişkin gönüllüler, Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe (SHARE)

Kaynakça

• Akiş, M. S. (2019). Sivil toplum kuruluşlarında (stk) gönüllü motivasyon kaynaklarının sosyo demografik değişkenler açısından incelenmesi. The Journal of Marmara Social Research, 15, 40-61. google scholar
• Becchetti, L., Conzo, P., & Di Febbraro, M. (2018). The monetary-equivalent effect of voluntary work on mental wellbeing in Europe. KYKLOS, 71, 3-27. https://doi.org/10.1111/kykl.12160 google scholar
• Bergmann, M., Bethmann, A., & De Luca, G. (2019). Sampling design in SHARE wave 7. M. Bergmann, A. Scherpenzeel & A. Börsch-Supan. (Eds.). in SHARE wave 7 methodology: panel innovations and life histories (pp. 81-88). Munich: MEA, Max Planck Institute for Social Law and Social Policy. google scholar
• Bishop, A. J., Martin, P., & Poon L. (2006). Happiness and congruence in older adulthood: a structural model of life satisfaction. Aging & Mental Health. 10(5), 445-453. https://doi.org/10.1080/13607860600638388 google scholar
• Börsch-Supan, A. (2005). The survey of health, aging, and retirement in Europe- methodology. A. Börsch-Supan, & H. Jürges. in The Survey of health, aging, and retirement in Europe: methodology (pp. 5-7). Mannheim: Mannheim Research Institute for the Economics of Aging (MEA). google scholar
• Börsch-Supan, A. (2020). Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe (SHARE) Wave 1. Release version: 7.1.0. SHARE-ERIC. Data set. DOI: 10.6103/SHARE.w1.710 google scholar
• Börsch-Supan, A., Brandt, M., Hunkler, C., Kneip, T., Korbmacher, J., Malter, F., Schaan, B., Stuck, S., & Zuber, S. (2013). Data Resource Profile: The Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe (SHARE). International Journal ofEpidemiology, 42(4), 992-1001. DOI: 10.1093/ije/dyt088 google scholar
• Bradley, D. B. (2003). A reason to rise each morning: the meaning of volunteering in the lives of older adults. The American Society ofAging, 23(4), 45-50. google scholar
• Brown, W. M., Consedine, N. S., & Magai, C. 2005. Altruism related to health in an ethnically diverse sample of older adults. Journal of Gerontology, 60B(3), 142-52. https://doi.org/10.1093/geronb/60.3.p143 google scholar
• Carr, A., Biggs, S., & Kimberley, H. (2013). Meanings of a long life. Social Policy Working Paper No: 17. The Centre for Public Policy. google scholar
• Choi, L. H. (2003). Factors affecting volunteerism among older adults. Journal of Applied Gerontology, 22(2), 179-196. https://doi.org/10.1177/0733464803022002001 google scholar
• Çakı, F. (2014). Türk sosyolojinde yeni bir alan: gönüllülük araştırmaları, Sosyoloji Dergisi, 29(2), 185-202. Erişim adresi: https://dergipark.org.tr/tr/pub/iusosyoloji/issue/561/5560 google scholar
• Das, M., Vis, C., & Weerman, B. (2005). Developing the survey instruments for SHARE. A. Börsch-Supan & H. Jürges (Eds.). in The survey of health, aging, and retirement in Europe-methodology (pp. 12-23). Mannheim: Mannheim Research Institute for the Economics of Aging (MEA). google scholar
• Delucchi, K. L. (1993). On the use and misuse of chi-square. G. Keren & C. Lewis (Eds.), in A handbook for data analysis in the behavioral sciences (pp. 294-319). Hillsdale, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum. google scholar
• Erlinghagen, M., & K. Hank. (2006). The participation of older Europeans in volunteer work. Ageing and Society, 26(4). 567-584. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0144686X06004818 Fischer, L. R., & Schaffer, K. B. (1993). Older volunteers: A guide to research and practice. Newbury Park, CA: Sage. google scholar
• Esping-Andersen, G. (1990). The three worlds of welfare capitalism. Cambridge: Polity Press. google scholar
• Fischer, L. R., Mueller, D. P., & Cooper, P. W. (1991). Older volunteers: a discussion of the Minnesota senior study. The Gerontological Society ofAmerica, 31(2), 183-194. https://doi.org/10.1093/geront/31.2.183 google scholar
• Gauthier, A. H., & Smeeding, T. M. (2003). Time use at older ages: cross-national differences. Research Aging, 25(3), 247-274. https://doi.org/10.1177/0164027503025003003 google scholar
• Gottlieb, B. H., & Gillespie, A. A. (2008). Volunteerism, health, and civic engagement among older adults. Canadian Journal on Aging, 27(4), 399-406. google scholar
• Gök, M. (2015). Türkiye’de sivil toplum kuruluşları ve sosyal sermaye. Sosyoloji Konferansları, 52(2). 655-683. https://doi.org/10.18368/IU/sk.09040 google scholar
• Hank, K. (2010). Societal determinants of productive aging: a multilevel analysis across 11 European countries. European Sociological Review, 27(4), 526-541. http://www.jstor.org/stable/41236612 google scholar
• Hank, K., & Erlinghagen, M. (2010). Dynamics of volunteering in older Europeans. The Gerontologist, 50(2), 170178. https://doi.org/10.1093/geront/gnp122 google scholar
• Hansen, T., Aartsen, M., Slagsvold, B., & Deindl, C. (2018). Dynamics of volunteering and life satisfaction in midlife and old age: findings from 12 European countries. Social Sciences, 7(78), 1-15. https://doi.org/10.3390/ socsci7050078 google scholar
• Haski-Leventhal, D. (2009). Elderly volunteering and well-being: A cross-European comparison based on SHARE data. Voluntas, 20(4). 388-404. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11266-009-9096-x. google scholar
• Hao, Y. (2008). Productive activities and psychological well-being among older adults. Journal of Gerontology: Social Sciences, 63B, 64-72. https://doi.org/10.1093/geronb/63.2.S64 google scholar
• Herzog, A. R., & Morgan, J. N. (1993). Age and gender differences in the value of productive activities: four different approaches. Research on Aging, 14(2), 169-198. google scholar
• Hooyman, N., & Kiyak, H. A. (2010). Aging in other countries and across cultures in the United States. N. R. google scholar
• Hooyman, & H. A. Kiyak (Eds.) in Social gerontology: a multidisciplinary perspective (pp. 43-68). Retrieved from https://catalogue.pearsoned.ca/assets/hip/us/hip_us_pearsonhighered/samplechapter/0205763138.pdf google scholar
• Hooyman, N. R., Kawamoto, K. Y., & Kiyak K. A. (2015). Aging matters. USA: Pearson. google scholar
• Hunkler, C., Kneip, T., Sand, G., & Schuth, M. (2015). Growing old abroad: social and material deprivation among first- and second-generation migrants in Europe. A. Börsch-Supan, T. Kneip, H. Litwin et al. (Eds.) in Ageing in Europe-supporting policies for an inclusive society içinde (pp. 199-208). Berlin, Boston: De Gruyter. google scholar
• Jung, Y., Gruenewald, T. L., Seeman, T. E., & Sarkisian, C. A. (2010). Productive activities and development of frailty in older adults. Journal of Gerontology: Social Sciences, 65, 256-261. https://doi.org/10.1093/geronb/gbp105 google scholar
• Karasar, N. (2014). Bilimsel araştırma yöntemi. (27. bs) Ankara: Nobel. google scholar
• Katz, S., Ford, A. B., Moskowitz, R. W., Jackson, B. A., & Jaffe, M. W. (1963). Studies of illness in the aged: the index of ADL: a standardized measure of biological and psychosocial function. Jama, 185(12), 914-919. google scholar
• Krause, N. (2009). Deriving a sense of meaning in late life: an overlooked forum. In V. L. Bengtson, D. Gans, N. M. google scholar
• Putney, M. Silverstein (Eds.). in Second edition handbook of theories of aging (pp. 101-117). New York: Springer Publishing Company. google scholar
• Lanari, D., & Bussini, O. (2012). International migration and health inequalities in later life. Ageing & Society, 32, 935-962. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0144686X11000730 google scholar Lang, F. (2001). Regulation of social relationships in later adulthood. Journal of Gerontology, 56B, 321-326. google scholar
• Lawton, M.P., & Brody, E.M. (1969). Assessment of older people: Self-maintaining and instrumental activities of daily living. The Gerontologist, 9(3), 179-186. https://doi.org/10.1093/geront/9.3_Part_1.179 google scholar
• Li, Y., & Ferraro, K. F. (2005). Volunteering and depression in later life: social benefit or selection processes? google scholar
• Journal of Health and Social Behavior, 46, 68-84. https://doi.org/10.1177/002214650504600106 google scholar
• Lum, T. Y., & Lightfoot, E. (2005). The effects of volunteering on the physical and mental health of older people. Research on Aging, 27, 31-55. https://doi.org/10.1177/0164027504271349 google scholar
• Luoh, M., & Herzog, A. R. (2002). Individual consequences of volunteer and paid work in old age: Health and mortality. Journal of Health and Social Behavior, 43, 490-509. https://doi.org/10.2307/3090239 google scholar
• McNamara, T. K., & Gonzales, E. (2011). Volunteer transitions among older adults: the role of human, social, and cultural capital in later life. The Journals of Gerontology, Series B: Psychological Sciences and Social Sciences, 66(4), 490-501. https://doi.org/10.1093/geronb/gbr055 google scholar
• Mehrbrodt, T., Gruber, S., & Wagner, M. (2019). SHARE scales and multi-item indicators. Retrieved from http:// www.share-project.org/fileadmin/pdf_documentation/SHARE_Scales_and_Multi-Item_Indicators.pdf google scholar
• Menec, V., & Chipperfield, J. (1997) Remaining active in later life: the role of locus on control in seniors’ leisure activity participation, health and life satisfaction. Journal of Aging and Health, 9(1), 105-125. https://doi. org/10.1177/089826439700900106 google scholar
• Miranda, V. (2011). Cooking, caring and volunteering: unpaid work around the world. OECD Social, Employment and Migration Papers No: 116. google scholar
• Morrow-Howell, N.; Hinterlong, J.; Rozario, P. A., & Tang, F. (2003). Effects of volunteering on the well-Being of older adults. The Journals of Gerontology: Series B, 58(3), 137-145. https://doi.org/10.1093/GERONB/58.3.S137 google scholar
• Musick, M. A., & Willson, J. (2003). Volunteering and depression: the role of psychological and social resources in different age groups. Social Science & Medicine, 56(2), 259-269. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0277-9536(02)00025-4 google scholar
• Neysmith, S., & Reitsma-Street, M. (2000). Valuing unpaid work in the third sector: The case of Community Resource Centres. Canadian Public Policy, 26(3), 331-346. https://doi.org/10.2307/3552404 google scholar
• Nummela, O. (2015). Social capital and self-rated health among ageing people in urban and rural locations in Finland and in Europe. F. Nyqvist, A. Forsman, & K. Dordrecht (Eds.) in Social capital as a health resource in later life: the relevant of context (pp. 191-205). Dordrecht, Heidelberg, New York, London: Springer. google scholar
• OECD. (2010). Improving health and social cohesion through education, Educational Research and Innovation, Paris: OECD Publishing. google scholar
• Okun, M. (1994). The relation between motives for organizational volunteering and frequency of volunteering by elders. Journal of Applied Gerontology, 13, 115-126. https://doi.org/10.1177/073346489401300201 google scholar
• Onyx, J., & Warburton, J. (2003). Volunteering and health among older people: a review. Australasian Journal on Ageing, 22(2), 65-69. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1741-6612.2003.tb00468.x google scholar
• Özmete, E. (2016). Türkiye aktif ve sağlıklı yaşlanma araştırması. T.C. Sağlık Bakanlığı Sağlığın Geliştirilmesi Genel Müdürlüğü. Ankara. google scholar
• Palaz, F. S. ve Adıgüzel, Y. (2016). Hollanda’daki göçmen Türklerin aktif yaşlanma tecrübeleri, Sosyoloji Dergisi, 36(2), 431-463. Erişim adresi: https://dergipark.org.tr/tr/pub/iusosyoloji/issue/35801/401031 google scholar
• Pearce, J. L. (1993). Volunteers: The organizational behavior of unpaid workers. London: Routledge. google scholar
• Piliavin, J. A., & Siegl, E. (2007). Health benefits of volunteering in the Wisconsin longitudinal study. Journal of Health and Social Behavior, 48, 450-64. https://doi.org/10.1177/002214650704800408 google scholar
• Prinicipi, A., Lindley, R., Perek-Bialas, J., & K. Turek (2012). Volunteering in older age: an organizational perspective. International Journal ofManpower, 33(6). 685-703. https://doi.org/10.1108/01437721211261822. google scholar
• Putnam, R. D. (2000). Bowling Alone. New York: Simon & Schuste. google scholar
• Richardson, V., & Kilty, K. M. (1991). Adjustment to retirement: continuity vs discontinuity. International Journal of Aging and Human Development, 33(2), 151-169. https://doi.org/10.2190/6RPT-U8GN-VUCV-P0TU google scholar
• Rostiloa, M., Nygard, M., & Nyqvist, F. (2015). The role of welfare states and social capital for self-rated health among older Europeans. F. Nyqvist, & A. K. Forsman (Eds.). in Social capital as a health resource in later life: the relevance of context (pp. 207-229). London: Springer. google scholar
• Rozario, P. A., Morrow-Howell, N., & Hinterlong, J. E. (2004). Role enhancement or role strain: assessing the impact of multiple productive roles on older caregiver well-being. Research on Aging, 26(4), 413-428. https:// doi.org/10.1177/0164027504264437 google scholar
• Sand, G., & Gruber, S. (2018). Differences in subjective well-being between older migrants and natives in Europe. J. Immigrant Minority Health, 20, 83-90. google scholar
• Scharn, M., Hengel, K. O., Booth, C. R. L., Burdorf, A., Schuring, M., van der Beek A. J., & Robroek, S. J. W. (2019). Influence of chronic diseases on societal participation in paid work, volunteering and informal caregiving in Europe: a 12-year follow-up study. Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health, 73, 136141. https://doi.org/10.1136/jech-2018-211107. google scholar
• Schwartz, C. E., & Sender, M. (1999). Helping others helps oneself : response shift effects in peer support. Social Science and Medicine, 48(11), 1563-75. https://doi.org/ 10.1016/s0277-9536(99)00049-0 google scholar
• Scrivens, K., & C. Smith. (2013). Four interpretations of social capital: an agenda for measurement. OECD Statistics Working Papers, Paris: OECD Publishing. google scholar
• SHARE release guide 7.0.0. (2019). Retrieved from http://www.share-project.org/fileadmin/pdf_documentation/ SHARE_release_guide_7-0-0.pdf google scholar
• Sharpe, D. (2015). Chi-square test is statistically significant: now what?. Practical Assessment, Research, and Evaluation 20(8). 1-10. https://doi.org/10.7275/tbfa-x148 google scholar
• Simon, R. (1997). The meaning individuals attach to role identities and their implications for mental health. Journal ofHealth and Social Behaviour, 38, 256-274. google scholar
• Sloan Center on Aging & Work. (2010). Trends in volunteerism among older adults, Fact Sheet 03. Boston College. Retrieved from https://www.bc.edu/content/dam/files/research_sites/agingandwork/pdf/publications/FS03_ TrendsVolunteerism.pdf google scholar
• Strauss, S. (2019). Multiple engagement: the relationship between Informal care-giving and formal volunteering among Europe’s 50+ population. Ageing & Society, 1-25. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0144686X19001764 google scholar
• Szinovacz, M. (1992). Social activities and retirement adaptation. M. Szinovacz, D. J. Ekerdt, & B. H. Vinick (Eds.). in Families and retirement (pp. 236-253). Newbury Park:Sage. google scholar
• Şentürk, M. (2015). Sonuç ve tartışma: bir yaşam alanı olarak kent ve İstanbul’da yaşlanmak. M. Şentürk ve H. Ceylan (Ed.). İstanbul’ da Yaşlanmak İstanbul’ da Yaşlıların Mevcut Durumu Araştırması içinde (ss. 283-341). İstanbul: Açılım Kitap. google scholar
• Tang, F., & Morow-Howell, N. (2008). Involvement in voluntary organizations: How older adults access volunteer roles? Journal of Gerontological Social Work, 51, 210-227. https://doi.org/10.1080/01634370802039494 google scholar
• The Denver Summit of the Eight. (1997). Active aging: a shift in the paradigm. Retrieved from https://aspe.hhs.gov/ basic-report/active-aging-shift-paradigm google scholar
• Theurer, K., & Wister, A. (2010). Altruistic behavior and social capital as predictors of well-being among older Canadians. Ageing & Sociology, 30, 157-181. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0144686X09008848 google scholar
• UNECE/European Commission. (2019). 2018 active ageing index: analytical report. Retrieved from http://www. unece.org/fileadmin/DAM/pau/age/Active_Ageing_Index/ECE-WG-33.pdf google scholar
• UNESCO. (1997). Institute for statistics, international standard classification of education. Retrieved from http:// www.uis.unesco.org/TEMPLATE/pdf/isced/ISCED_A. pdf google scholar
• UNV. (2011). State of the world’s volunteerism report, New York: United Nations Volunteers. Retrieved from https://www.unv.org/sites/default/files/2011%20State%20of%20the%20World%27s%20Volunteerism%20 Report%20-%20Universal%20Values%20for%20Global%20Well-being.pdf google scholar
• Van Willigen, M. (2000). Differential benefits of volunteering across the life course. The Journals of Gerontology: Series B: Psychological Sciences and Social Sciences, 55(5), 308-318. https://doi.org/10.1093/geronb/55.5.s308 google scholar
• Walker, A. (2006). Active ageing in employment: its meaning and potential. Asia — Pasific Review. 13(1). 78-93. https://doi.org/ https://doi.org/10.1080/13439000600697621 google scholar Wuthnow, R. (1991). Acts of compassion. Princeton University Press, Princeton. google scholar