Klinedinst N Jennifer, Resnick Barbara
a University of Maryland School of Nursing , Baltimore , Maryland , USA.
J Gerontol Soc Work. 2014;57(1):52-71. doi: 10.1080/01634372.2013.867294. Epub 2013 Dec 30.
This descriptive study examined the relationship between volunteer activities, depressive symptoms, and feelings of usefulness among older adults using path analysis. Survey data was collected via interview from residents of a continuing care retirement community. Neither feelings of usefulness nor volunteering were directly associated with depressive symptoms. Volunteering was directly associated with feelings of usefulness and indirectly associated with depressive symptoms through total physical activity. Age, fear of falling, pain, physical activity, and physical resilience explained 31% of the variance in depressive symptoms. Engaging in volunteer work may be beneficial for increasing feelings of usefulness and indirectly improving depressive symptoms among older adults.
这项描述性研究使用路径分析考察了老年人志愿者活动、抑郁症状和有用感之间的关系。通过访谈收集了来自一个持续照料退休社区居民的调查数据。有用感和志愿服务均与抑郁症状无直接关联。志愿服务与有用感直接相关，并通过总体身体活动与抑郁症状间接相关。年龄、跌倒恐惧、疼痛、身体活动和身体恢复力解释了抑郁症状31%的变异。参与志愿工作可能有益于增强老年人的有用感，并间接改善其抑郁症状。
