CONNECTING VOLUNTEERING TO PSYCHOLOGICAL WELL-BEING THROUGH PERCEIVED GENERATIVITY

This research explores how volunteering promotes psychological well-being through perceived generativity—feeling like a valuable contributor to others' lives. Longitudinal data from the Midlife in the United States study showed that individuals who volunteered across multiple time points experienced greater well-being compared to non-volunteers. Generativity was identified as a partial mediator, suggesting that the act of giving fosters positive self-perception and purpose, contributing to enhanced mental health, especially in older adults.

Regular volunteering can improve mental well-being by fostering a sense of purpose and connection. Choose meaningful activities that align with your skills and interests. While these findings are robust, causation is not fully established, and benefits depend on consistent engagement over time. Integrate volunteering with other social and mental health practices.