Cramm Jane M, Nieboer Anna P
Institute of Health Policy and Management, Erasmus University, Rotterdam, the Netherlands.
Geriatr Gerontol Int. 2015 Aug;15(8):1087-95. doi: 10.1111/ggi.12404. Epub 2014 Nov 3.
The aim of the present study was to describe (in)formal volunteering among older adults (aged ≥70 years) in the community, and the longitudinal relationships between background characteristics, resources (social, cognitive and physical functioning, social capital) and volunteering.
At baseline, a total of 945 (out of 1440) independently living Dutch older adults (aged ≥70 years) completed the questionnaire (66% response). Two years later, these respondents were asked to complete a questionnaire again, of which 588 (62%) responded.
Of 945 respondents (43% male; mean age 77.5 ± 5.8 years, range 70-101 years), 34.7% were married and 83.3% were born in the Netherlands. Social capital, social functioning and physical functioning were significantly higher among volunteering older adults. Being born in the Netherlands, higher educational level, social capital and social functioning were related to formal volunteering activities at baseline, and also predicted these activities 2 years later. Regarding informal volunteering activities, we found a significant association with age, being born in the Netherlands, marital status, educational level, social capital and social functioning at baseline. Examining their predictive nature, we found that younger age, being born in the Netherlands, social capital and physical functioning were associated with engagement in informal volunteering activities 2 years later.
The present study shows that older adults remain engaged in volunteering activities, and that background characteristics (e.g. ethnic background, education) and resources (social functioning, social capital) contribute to this engagement.
本研究旨在描述社区中70岁及以上老年人的（非）正式志愿服务情况，以及背景特征、资源（社会、认知和身体功能、社会资本）与志愿服务之间的纵向关系。
在基线时，1440名独立生活的荷兰老年人（年龄≥70岁）中有945人（回复率66%）完成了问卷调查。两年后，这些受访者被要求再次填写问卷，其中588人（62%）做出了回复。
在945名受访者中（43%为男性；平均年龄77.5±5.8岁，范围70 - 101岁），34.7%已婚，83.3%出生在荷兰。参与志愿服务的老年人的社会资本、社会功能和身体功能显著更高。出生在荷兰、较高的教育水平、社会资本和社会功能与基线时的正式志愿服务活动相关，并且在两年后也能预测这些活动。关于非正式志愿服务活动，我们发现在基线时与年龄、出生在荷兰、婚姻状况、教育水平、社会资本和社会功能存在显著关联。在研究它们的预测性质时，我们发现较年轻的年龄、出生在荷兰、社会资本和身体功能与两年后的非正式志愿服务活动参与度相关。
本研究表明老年人仍参与志愿服务活动，并且背景特征（如种族背景、教育程度）和资源（社会功能、社会资本）有助于这种参与。
