Department of Gerontology, University of Massachusetts Boston, USA.
Soc Sci Med. 2018 Mar;201:120-126. doi: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2018.02.011. Epub 2018 Feb 16.
Based on the theoretical foundations of the caregiving system model, which holds that prosocial behavior can be conceptualized in relation to a neurobiological stress-buffering mechanism, we addressed the question of whether daily volunteering yields buffering effects in terms of suppressing a neuroendocrine response (i.e., salivary cortisol) to daily stressors. We used daily diary data from the second wave of the National Study of Daily Experiences (NSDE II), which is part of the Midlife in the United States study (MIDUS II), a nationally representative survey of middle-aged and older adults. Analyzing a sample of volunteers (N = 340), we tested the buffering role of daily volunteer work for the same day stressors-salivary cortisol response relationship (person-day observations, N = 1,042). Findings from multilevel models indicated that the relationship between daily stressors and cortisol output was attenuated on days when volunteering was performed compared to days volunteering was not performed. Our findings are suggestive of a unique, but unobserved, neurobiological mechanism underlying the link between volunteering and better health. Volunteer programs designed to help others in need may be considered as an intervention strategy for individuals living under stressful conditions.
基于照顾者系统模型的理论基础，该模型认为亲社会行为可以与神经生物学应激缓冲机制相关联，我们探讨了每日志愿服务是否会产生缓冲效应，以抑制对日常应激源的神经内分泌反应（即唾液皮质醇）。我们使用了美国中期生活研究（MIDUS II）中全国日常经验研究（NSDE II）第二波的日常日记数据，这是一项对中年和老年人具有代表性的调查。通过分析志愿者样本（N=340），我们测试了日常志愿工作对当天应激源与唾液皮质醇反应关系（个人日观察，N=1042）的缓冲作用。多层次模型的结果表明，与没有志愿服务的日子相比，在进行志愿服务的日子里，日常应激源与皮质醇分泌之间的关系减弱了。我们的发现表明，志愿服务与更好的健康之间的联系可能存在一种独特但未被观察到的神经生物学机制。旨在帮助有需要的人的志愿者计划可能被视为生活在压力环境下的个体的干预策略。
