How might volunteering support well-being after retirement?

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Social participation is essential for older adults’ health. Formal volunteering can reduce loneliness and is associated with numerous positive health outcomes, yet older adults have limited resources to meet their social and well-being needs. The researchers used a qualitative social network approach to explore what contributes to the well-being of middle-aged and older adults who volunteer formally.

Between 2022 and 2023, they conducted qualitative semi-structured interviews with 28 social club members in Germany, aged 45–80, with a mean age of 62. Thirteen participants were retired; eight interviewees were female and 20 were male. Participants created unstructured egocentric network maps of people or organisations important to their well-being. They used the maps to reflect on their social networks, allowing deeper insights into changing network dynamics. The researchers analysed the data using thematic analysis.

The analysis developed six themes: intrapersonal, interpersonal and social network characteristics affecting well-being, self-fulfilment, feeling indispensable, and unfulfilled expectations. Formal social participation, particularly volunteering, contributed significantly to well-being. The researchers concluded that formal volunteering can help with successful role substitution and compensation, especially after retirement. This may prevent loneliness and increase well-being in older age.