Formal versus informal volunteering and wellbeing: does volunteering type matter for older adults?

Abstract

Although the literature on volunteering and wellbeing among older adults is extensive, it tends to focus on this relationship within spaces of formal volunteering, such as non-profit organisations. However, informal volunteering and other forms of civic engagement may also promote improved wellbeing outcomes for this age group; likewise, these behaviours may be linked to the practice of formal volunteering with an organisation. Drawing on data from the Delaware subsample of the Successful Aging Survey, this article examines whether differences in volunteer engagement influence the relationship between volunteering and wellbeing outcomes among older adults.