Author: Amy Harvey
Harvey, Amy, 2025 Volunteering and Well-Being in Older Adulthood: Contextual and Psychological Influences , Flinders University, College of Education, Psychology and Social Work
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Formal volunteering refers to the provision of unpaid assistance willingly given in the form of time, services, or skills to an organisation or group. A substantial body of research has demonstrated that formal volunteering supports well-being in later life. However, questions remain regarding the conditions under which these benefits occur. Specifically, limited research has explored how the contextual features of the volunteer experience (e.g., nature of the work) influence well-being outcomes. Additionally, few studies have considered how self-perceptions of ageing affect engagement in prosocial activities. Furthermore, although volunteering has been linked to well-being, little is known about the mechanisms underpinning these associations. Finally, limited research has evaluated the feasibility and impact of intergenerational programs for older adults within the Australian context.
This thesis addressed these gaps through four empirical studies. The first, a cross-sectional study, examined how variations in volunteer experience (i.e., task, knowledge, social, and contextual characteristics) related to well-being among older volunteers and whether these associations were moderated by functional health. Findings showed social support and favourable work conditions were associated with higher life satisfaction and psychological flourishing, while interactions outside the organisation were linked to higher negative affect. Task characteristics (e.g., variety of tasks) and knowledge characteristics (e.g., skills required) were more strongly associated with positive well-being among volunteers with poorer physical functioning.
The second study employed a longitudinal design to assess how awareness of age-related gains and losses predicted volunteering over a 12-month period during the COVID-19 pandemic. While volunteering hours remained stable, individuals who perceived more age-related losses were less likely to volunteer at baseline. A trend suggested that higher perceived age-related gains may have buffered the impact of COVID-19-related disruptions on volunteering.
The third study examined whether basic psychological needs – autonomy, competence, and relatedness – mediated the relationship between volunteering and well-being. These mechanisms were partially supported cross-sectionally: autonomy mediated the relationship between volunteering and positive affect and life satisfaction, while competence mediated associations with affective well-being. Relatedness did not emerge as a significant mediator, and longitudinal mediation effects were non-significant.
The final study evaluated the feasibility and impact of a pilot intergenerational volunteering program involving older adults supporting numeracy development in primary school children. Qualitative data showed the program was well-received by volunteers and stakeholders. Quantitative data showed older participants reported increased positive affect following the intervention, though no significant changes were found across other well-being outcomes (e.g., life satisfaction).
Overall, this thesis extends current understanding of the contextual, psychological, and subjective factors influencing the relationship between volunteering and well-being in later life. The findings highlight that (a) specific aspects of the volunteer experience are differentially associated with well-being, especially for those with poorer functional health; (b) negative perceptions of ageing may hinder volunteer engagement; (c) autonomy and competence are key mechanisms through which volunteering may enhance well-being; and (d) intergenerational volunteering is a feasible and meaningful approach to promote social engagement and emotional benefits among older adults. These findings provide insights for designing tailored, evidence-based volunteering programs to support healthy ageing.
Keywords: volunteering, well-being, ageing, later life, older adulthood, intergenerational programs.
Subject: Psychology thesis
Thesis type: Doctor of Philosophy
Completed: 2025
School: College of Education, Psychology and Social Work
Supervisor: Professor Tim Windsor