The relationship between time spent in volunteering activities and quality of life in adults over the age of 50 years: A systematic review

© 2018, The Author(s) 2018. Introduction: Increased attention has focused on the importance of time spent by ageing adults in volunteering. The aim of this systematic review was to analyse literature exploring the relationship between time spent volunteering and quality of life for adults over the a...

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Main Authors: Milbourn, Ben, Saraswati, J., Buchanan, Angus
Format: Journal Article
Published: The College of Occupational Therapists - UK 2018
Online Access:http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/68526
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author Milbourn, Ben
Saraswati, J.
Buchanan, Angus
author_facet Milbourn, Ben
Saraswati, J.
Buchanan, Angus
author_sort Milbourn, Ben
building Curtin Institutional Repository
collection Online Access
description © 2018, The Author(s) 2018. Introduction: Increased attention has focused on the importance of time spent by ageing adults in volunteering. The aim of this systematic review was to analyse literature exploring the relationship between time spent volunteering and quality of life for adults over the age of 50 years. Method: Electronic searches of nine databases located relevant articles involving adults over the age of 50 in volunteering activities that included psychological, physical and social quality of life domains. The quality of the selected articles was assessed and data extracted using preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses. Results: Of the 65 articles retrieved, 22 were reviewed and eight included in the final review. Studies included one randomised controlled trial, one cross-sectional and six longitudinal studies. Levels of time spent volunteering by participants within the studies varied considerably. Articles retrieved reported positive quality of life outcomes including increases in life satisfaction, self-esteem and social support and a slowed functional decline. Conclusion: Volunteering is identified as an important occupation for adults over the age of 50, although the relationship between time spent volunteering and the impact on quality of life outcomes is still not fully understood. Future research is required to better understand the impact of time spent volunteering on quality of life.
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spelling curtin-20.500.11937-685262020-06-15T01:19:45Z The relationship between time spent in volunteering activities and quality of life in adults over the age of 50 years: A systematic review Milbourn, Ben Saraswati, J. Buchanan, Angus © 2018, The Author(s) 2018. Introduction: Increased attention has focused on the importance of time spent by ageing adults in volunteering. The aim of this systematic review was to analyse literature exploring the relationship between time spent volunteering and quality of life for adults over the age of 50 years. Method: Electronic searches of nine databases located relevant articles involving adults over the age of 50 in volunteering activities that included psychological, physical and social quality of life domains. The quality of the selected articles was assessed and data extracted using preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses. Results: Of the 65 articles retrieved, 22 were reviewed and eight included in the final review. Studies included one randomised controlled trial, one cross-sectional and six longitudinal studies. Levels of time spent volunteering by participants within the studies varied considerably. Articles retrieved reported positive quality of life outcomes including increases in life satisfaction, self-esteem and social support and a slowed functional decline. Conclusion: Volunteering is identified as an important occupation for adults over the age of 50, although the relationship between time spent volunteering and the impact on quality of life outcomes is still not fully understood. Future research is required to better understand the impact of time spent volunteering on quality of life. 2018 Journal Article http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/68526 10.1177/0308022618777219 The College of Occupational Therapists - UK restricted
spellingShingle Milbourn, Ben
Saraswati, J.
Buchanan, Angus
The relationship between time spent in volunteering activities and quality of life in adults over the age of 50 years: A systematic review
title The relationship between time spent in volunteering activities and quality of life in adults over the age of 50 years: A systematic review
title_full The relationship between time spent in volunteering activities and quality of life in adults over the age of 50 years: A systematic review
title_fullStr The relationship between time spent in volunteering activities and quality of life in adults over the age of 50 years: A systematic review
title_full_unstemmed The relationship between time spent in volunteering activities and quality of life in adults over the age of 50 years: A systematic review
title_short The relationship between time spent in volunteering activities and quality of life in adults over the age of 50 years: A systematic review
title_sort relationship between time spent in volunteering activities and quality of life in adults over the age of 50 years: a systematic review
url http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/68526