MINES & Associates - Volunteering Produces Health Benefits

A new report shows that helping others improves your
well-being and life expectancy.

Volunteers help themselves to better health while helping others, according to a study released in April 2007 by the Corporation for National and Community Service that reviews a compelling collection of recent scientific research.

The Health Benefits of Volunteering: A Review of Recent Research has found a significant connection between volunteering and good health. The report shows that volunteers have greater longevity, higher functional ability, lower rates of depression, and less incidence of heart disease.

"Volunteering makes the heart grow stronger," said David Eisner, CEO of the corporation. "More than 61 million Americans volunteer to improve conditions for people in need and to unselfishly give of themselves. While the motivation is altruistic, it is gratifying to learn that their efforts are returning considerable health benefits."

The Health Benefits of Volunteering documents major findings from more than 30 rigorous and longitudinal studies that reviewed the relationship between health and volunteering, with particular emphasis on studies that sought to determine the causal connection between the two factors. The studies, which were controlled for other factors, found that volunteering leads to improved physical and mental health.

Research suggests that volunteering is particularly beneficial to the health of seniors and those serving 100 hours annually. According to the report

A study of adults age 65 and older found that the positive effect of volunteering on physical and mental health is due to the personal sense of accomplishment an individual gains from his or her volunteer activities.
Another study found that volunteering led to lower rates of depression in individuals 65 and older.
A Duke University study found that individuals who volunteered after experiencing heart attacks reported reductions in despair and depression—two factors that that have been linked to mortality in postcoronary artery disease patients.
An analysis of longitudinal data found that individuals over age 70 who volunteered approximately 100 hours annually had less of a decline in self-reported health and functioning levels, experienced lower levels of depression, and had greater longevity.
Two studies found that the volunteering threshold is about 100 hours per year, or about 2 hours a week. Individuals who reached the threshold enjoyed significant health benefits, although there were not additional benefits beyond the 100-hour mark.

"This is good news for people who volunteer," said Robert Grimm, director of the corporation's Office of Research and Policy Development and senior counselor to the CEO. "This research is particularly relevant to baby boomers, who are receiving as well as giving when they help others. Just 2 hours of volunteering a week can bring meaningful benefits to a person's body and mind."

The Corporation for National and Community Service improves lives, strengthens communities, and fosters civic engagement through service and volunteering. Each year, the corporation provides opportunities for more than 2 million Americans of all ages and backgrounds to serve their communities and country through Senior Corps, AmeriCorps, and Learn and Serve America. For more information or to view a copy of The Health Benefits of Volunteering, visit http://www.nationalservice.gov.

Source: Corporation for National and Community Service. (2007, May 7). Volunteering produces health benefits. Retrieved September 24, 2007, http://www.nationalservice.gov

For over 25 years MINES & Associates has been a nationally recognized business psychology firm that provides a variety of services to corporate employers including employee assistance programs (EAP), managed mental healthcare, organizational development and psychology services, wellness programs, behavioral risk management, disease management, PPO services, and a number of other technology based services. MINES & Associates is divided into two main divisions, Organizational Psychology and Health Psychology, and currently serves a diverse portfolio of clients in all 50 states, Canada, Mexico, and the UK.