The Meaning of Voluntary Association Participation to Older People

Abstract

Studies have indicated little association between participation in voluntary associations by older people and well-being. This may reflect self-selection by well-to-do older people who are "joiners" or a lack of truly involving group roles. From interviews with 323 persons over 60, it was found that active group participation yielded more "meaningful" reasons for enjoyment, and card-playing less meaningful reasons. Such reasons for group participation as contacts with others and passing the time were associated with lower satisfaction. On the whole, however, type of activity and reasons for participation had little relationship to life satisfaction, since they largely reflected health and socioeconomic status differences.