Volunteering benefits life satisfaction over 4 years: The moderating role of social network size

ConclusionWe found that longer volunteering time was associated with a higher level of increase in life satisfaction during the 4 ‐year interval. Life satisfaction increased more in participants who lost more friends than in participants who lost fewer friends. Consistent with socioemotional selectivity theory, emotional goals were positively associated with more short‐term and long‐term volunteering behaviours. These fi ndings provide scientific insight into the mechanisms and motives underlying the positive effects of volunteering on life satisfaction in old age.
Source: Australian Journal of Psychology - Category: Psychiatry & Psychology Authors: Tags: ORIGINAL ARTICLE Source Type: research