VOLUNTEERISM AND LIFE SATISFACTION: A TEST OF ACTIVITY THEORY WITH A NATIONAL SAMPLE OF OLDER AMERICANS

This research investigates the relationship between volunteerism and life satisfaction among older people. The central hypothesis, that there is a positive relationship between these two variables, is derived from activity theory.; Data from a representative sample of older Americans surveyed in 1974 revealed that 14% of those age 65 and over were currently volunteering. Most volunteered because they wanted to help others and voiced a desire to continue their volunteer service in the following year.; A review of the literature on life satisfaction and its antecedents found little empirical support for activity theory based hypotheses. Measures of activity varied between studies; none assessed the salience or importance of the activity to the individual; and scales measuring subjective well-being often lacked reliability.; Multivariate statistical techniques are utilized to assess the relationship of volunteerism (defined as a salient activity) to life satisfaction, measured by the Life Satisfaction Index, while controlling for the confounding influence of other variables.; The statistical analysis provided no support for the central hypothesis of the study. The individual's assessment of the seriousness of health problems was associated with life satisfaction. Path analysis uncovered a significant indirect path between race, level of educational attainment and its consequent impact on health. Race also had a less important direct effect on health.; Multiple correlation analysis produced a coefficient of determination of .32, indicating that the ten predictor variables account for 32% of the variation in life satisfaction scores. Seriousness of health problems accounted for approximately 60% of the overall explained variation.; In summary, this research further erodes support for activity theory in social gerontology, reasserts the influence of health on life satisfaction, and demonstrates that race does have indirect influences on subjective well-being in older people.