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Steinhoff P, Ellwardt L, Wermeyer M. Well-being in middle-aged and older adults who volunteer: a qualitative network analysis. Aging Ment Health 2024:1-9. [PMID: 39169652 DOI: 10.1080/13607863.2024.2393250] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2024] [Accepted: 08/09/2024] [Indexed: 08/23/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Social participation is essential for the health of older adults. Formal volunteering can reduce loneliness and is associated with numerous positive health outcomes. Older adults have limited resources to meet their social and well-being needs. We explore factors contributing to the well-being of middle-aged and older adults who engage in formal volunteering using a qualitative social network approach. METHODS Between 2022 and 2023, qualitative semi-structured interviews were conducted with 28 members of social clubs in Germany, aged 45-80 (mean age 62 years). Thirteen participants were retired. Eight interviewees were female and twenty were male. Participants created unstructured egocentric network maps of individuals or organisations important to their well-being. Participants reflected on their social networks using these maps, which allowed for deeper insights into changing network dynamics. The data were analysed using thematic analysis. RESULTS We developed six themes: intrapersonal, interpersonal and social network characteristics affecting well-being, self-fulfilment, feeling indispensable and unfulfilled expectations. Formal social participation, particularly through volunteering, contributed significantly to the well-being. CONCLUSION Formal volunteering can aid successful role substitution and compensation, especially after retirement. This may prevent loneliness and increase well-being in older age.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paula Steinhoff
- Institute of Sociology and Social Psychology, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Lea Ellwardt
- Institute of Sociology and Social Psychology, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Maya Wermeyer
- Institute of Sociology and Social Psychology, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
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Cao Q(K, Dabelko-Schoeny H, Warren K, Lee MY. Does network homophily persist in multicultural volunteering programs? Results from an Exponential Random Graph Model. J Migr Health 2024; 10:100256. [PMID: 39211310 PMCID: PMC11359767 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmh.2024.100256] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Few studies examined the social network structures within multicultural volunteer programs for low-income diverse older adults, making it unclear how diverse older adults establish social connections beyond their co-ethnic community. This study aims to identify the social network structures within a Senior Companion Program (SCP), a multicultural low-income volunteer program in a Midwestern Metropolitan area in the United States. Data were collected through surveys during a SCP monthly in-service training in October 2021. Russian, Khmer, Somali, Nepali, and English-speaking older volunteers in the SCP (N = 41) identified friends through a nomination form. Exponential Random Graph Modeling (ERGM) was used to identify statistically significant structural features of the SCP network. Graphs and ERGM results demonstrated that participants tended to form friendships with other volunteers of the same gender (β=3.27, p < 0.001), from the same country (β=2.89, p < 0.001), with the same education level (β=0.71, p < 0.001), and from the same volunteer recruitment site (β=2.77, p < 0.001). Surprisingly, there were few transitive ties (β= -1.01, p < 0.001), the tendency to make friends with a friend of a friend, which is typically common in friendship networks. Relationships among diverse older volunteers are largely driven by homophily in this multicultural volunteer program. Addressing language barriers and assigning volunteers from different countries to the same recruitment site may counteract homophily by nationality. However, more research needs to identify whether the opportunity to interact with people of one's same or different cultural backgrounds is a stronger incentive for volunteer engagement and connectedness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiuchang (Katy) Cao
- Florida State University College of Social Work, Tallahassee, FL 32304, United States
| | - Holly Dabelko-Schoeny
- The Ohio State University College of Social Work, 1947 College Road North, Columbus, OH 43210, United States
| | - Keith Warren
- The Ohio State University College of Social Work, 1947 College Road North, Columbus, OH 43210, United States
| | - Mo Yee Lee
- The Ohio State University College of Social Work, 1947 College Road North, Columbus, OH 43210, United States
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Cao Q(K, Dabelko-Schoeny H, Warren K, Lee MY. The Loneliness of Low-Income Older Adults in a Federal Volunteering Program: A Network Perspective. Gerontol Geriatr Med 2023; 9:23337214231219097. [PMID: 38143874 PMCID: PMC10748629 DOI: 10.1177/23337214231219097] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2023] [Revised: 11/17/2023] [Accepted: 11/21/2023] [Indexed: 12/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Volunteering has been associated with increased social interactions and reduced feelings of loneliness among older adults. However, a growing number of social network analyses (SNA) conducted in the general population outside of volunteering contexts suggest that lonely individuals tended to interact with other lonely individuals in the network, reinforcing loneliness through peer associations. To better understand the psychosocial impact of peer interactions among older adults within volunteer programs, this study examines how older adults' loneliness is correlated with their peers' loneliness within the Senior Companions Program (SCP). This study collected information on the social networks within an SCP in a Midwest Metropolitan and feelings of loneliness among low-income Russian, Khmer, Somali, Nepali, and English-speaking older volunteers (N = 41). A linear network autocorrelation model (LNAM) was constructed to quantify how volunteers' loneliness is correlated with their peers' loneliness within SCP. The LNAM results indicated that less lonely volunteers tended to make friends with lonelier volunteers (ρ = -.06, p < .05) in SCP even when accounting for statistical controls. The finding that more and less lonely individuals connect indicates an altruistic tendency for less lonely individuals to interact with those who are lonelier. This may be an important pathway by which volunteering addresses loneliness.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Keith Warren
- The Ohio State University College of Social Work, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Mo Yee Lee
- The Ohio State University College of Social Work, Columbus, OH, USA
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Yang HL, Zhang S, Zhang WC, Shen Z, Wang JH, Cheng SM, Tao YW, Zhang SQ, Yang LX, Yao YD, Xie L, Tang LL, Wu YY, Li ZY. Volunteer Service and Well-Being of Older People in China. Front Public Health 2022; 10:777178. [PMID: 35284360 PMCID: PMC8914025 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2022.777178] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2021] [Accepted: 01/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose The social support theory suggested that involving older people in social activities could increase their level of social participation and interaction, which in turn improved their well-being. However, there has been a heated controversy about whether participating in volunteer services could enhance the well-being of older people, especially for the Chinese sample. Method Based on the data from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS) in 2013, this paper used an ordered probit model to examine the impact of older people's participation in volunteer services on their well-being, as well as the differences in the impact across groups and the specific transmission mechanism. Result The empirical study found that Chinese older people's participation in volunteerism significantly enhanced their well-being, which remained robust after eliminating the possible effects of self-selection. Further heterogeneity analysis revealed that for female, non-party members and older adults with good economic status, participation in volunteerism has a higher increase in well-being. The mediating effect test indicated that older people's participation in volunteerism affected well-being mainly through enhancing positive emotions. Conclusion It is necessary to promote the participation of older people in volunteer services and to clarify the role of government support and advocacy. Proper guidance is given to change the role of older people as care recipients to that of service providers and caregivers, and to continuously enrich the programmes and content of volunteer service to safeguard the well-being of older people.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hua-lei Yang
- School of Public Administration, Zhongnan University of Economics and Law, Wuhan, China
| | - Shuo Zhang
- School of Public Administration, Zhongnan University of Economics and Law, Wuhan, China
| | - Wen-chao Zhang
- School of Public Administration, Zhongnan University of Economics and Law, Wuhan, China
| | - Zheng Shen
- School of Economics and Management, Zhejiang A&F University, Hangzhou, China
- *Correspondence: Zheng Shen
| | - Jia-hao Wang
- School of Public Administration, Zhongnan University of Economics and Law, Wuhan, China
| | - Si-meng Cheng
- School of Public Administration, Zhongnan University of Economics and Law, Wuhan, China
| | - Yi-wen Tao
- School of Public Administration, Zhongnan University of Economics and Law, Wuhan, China
| | - Si-qing Zhang
- School of Public Administration, Zhongnan University of Economics and Law, Wuhan, China
| | - Li-xingzi Yang
- School of Public Administration, Zhongnan University of Economics and Law, Wuhan, China
| | - Yi-dan Yao
- School of Public Administration, Zhongnan University of Economics and Law, Wuhan, China
| | - Lin Xie
- Institution of Population and Labor Economics, University of Chinese Academy of Social Science, Beijing, China
| | - Li-li Tang
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Yantai University, Yantai, China
| | - Yuan-yang Wu
- School of Public Administration, Zhongnan University of Economics and Law, Wuhan, China
| | - Zhi-yun Li
- College of Politics and Public Administration, Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
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Webster NJ, Ajrouch KJ, Antonucci TC. Volunteering and health: The role of social network change. Soc Sci Med 2021; 285:114274. [PMID: 34390978 DOI: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2021.114274] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2020] [Revised: 07/16/2021] [Accepted: 07/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Levels of volunteering may differentially influence multiple dimensions of health among older adults. Further, increasing evidence indicates social networks represent critical bridging and bonding contexts for the volunteering-health link. This study examines two research questions: 1) does volunteering level (low, moderate, high) influence physical and mental health in the same ways? And 2) does social network change moderate this link? METHODS Data come from Waves 1 and 2 of the longitudinal Social Relations Study (n = 556) collected in 1992 and 2005 and the sub-sample of adults age 50 and older at Wave 2. Regression analyses predicting self-rated health and depressive symptoms were conducted to examine main effects of volunteering and moderating effects of social network change. RESULTS Volunteering at a moderate level (101-300 hours per year) was associated with fewer depressive symptoms compared to those not volunteering. Social network change moderated the association between volunteering and self-rated health. Among those reporting a decrease in the proportion of non-family in their network (decrease in bridging), a moderate level of volunteering was associated with better self-rated health. CONCLUSION While moderate levels of volunteering are associated with better mental health, the link to physical health is only present in the context of decreasing network bridging. Identifying specific circumstances under which volunteering is beneficial is critical for developing interventions to promote health for all, including those in mid and later life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Noah J Webster
- Institute for Social Research, University of Michigan, 426 Thompson Street, Ann Arbor, MI, 48104, USA.
| | - Kristine J Ajrouch
- Institute for Social Research, University of Michigan, 426 Thompson Street, Ann Arbor, MI, 48104, USA; Department of Sociology, Anthropology and Criminology, Eastern Michigan University, 900 Oakwood St, Ypsilanti, MI, 48197, USA.
| | - Toni C Antonucci
- Institute for Social Research, University of Michigan, 426 Thompson Street, Ann Arbor, MI, 48104, USA; Department of Psychology, University of Michigan, 530 Church St, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA.
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Townsend BG, Chen JTH, Wuthrich VM. Barriers and Facilitators to Social Participation in Older Adults: A Systematic Literature Review. Clin Gerontol 2021; 44:359-380. [PMID: 33393443 DOI: 10.1080/07317115.2020.1863890] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Objectives: Social participation has been shown to improve health, well-being, and quality of life in older adults. Previous reviews on social participation have been limited to identifying logistical barriers. The current review sought to examine barriers of social participation more broadly, as well as potential facilitators.Methods: We conducted a systematic review to collate identified barriers and facilitators to social participation in older adults. Seventy-six studies were eligible for inclusion.Results: Four main themes of barriers and facilitators to social participation associated with aging emerged: Demographic factors (such as age and socioeconomic status), Individual/Internal factors (such as motivations and health), Environmental/Infrastructure (such as accessibility, transport, and neighborhood cohesion), and Social Networks (particularly preexisting network size).Conclusions: These findings extended previous reviews to show that personal motivations, preexisting social networks, and neighborhood cohesion play vital roles in improving and maintaining quality social participation. The ability to facilitate this can occur at the individual therapeutic level and at the community level.Clinical implications: The findings highlight the need to consider barriers beyond logistical issues. In particular, healthy aging initiatives may benefit from matching social activities with individual motivations, and preventive measures to establish social networks early in the aging process are important.
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Affiliation(s)
- Braedon G Townsend
- Centre for Emotional Health, Department of Psychology, Macquarie University, Sydney, Australia
| | - Jessamine T-H Chen
- Centre for Emotional Health, Department of Psychology, Macquarie University, Sydney, Australia.,Centre for Ageing, Cognition, and Wellbeing, Faculty of Medicine, Human and Health Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, Australia
| | - Viviana M Wuthrich
- Centre for Emotional Health, Department of Psychology, Macquarie University, Sydney, Australia.,Centre for Ageing, Cognition, and Wellbeing, Faculty of Medicine, Human and Health Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, Australia
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Anstey KJ, Butterworth P, Christensen H, Easteal S, Cherbuin N, Leach L, Burns R, Kiely KM, Mortby ME, Eramudugolla R, Gad I. Cohort Profile Update: The PATH Through Life Project. Int J Epidemiol 2021; 50:35-36. [PMID: 33232442 DOI: 10.1093/ije/dyaa179] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/09/2020] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Kaarin J Anstey
- Centre for Research on Ageing, Health and Wellbeing, Research School of Population Health, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, Australia.,School of Psychology, University of New South Wales, Randwick, NSW, Australia.,Neuroscience Research Australia, Randwick, NSW, Australia
| | - Peter Butterworth
- Centre for Research on Ageing, Health and Wellbeing, Research School of Population Health, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, Australia.,Melbourne Institute of Applied Economic and Social Research, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Helen Christensen
- Black Dog Institute, University of South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Simon Easteal
- John Curtin School of Medical Research, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, Australia
| | - Nicolas Cherbuin
- Centre for Research on Ageing, Health and Wellbeing, Research School of Population Health, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, Australia
| | - Liana Leach
- National Centre for Epidemiology and Population Health, Research School of Population Health, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, Australia
| | - Richard Burns
- Centre for Research on Ageing, Health and Wellbeing, Research School of Population Health, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, Australia
| | - Kim M Kiely
- School of Psychology, University of New South Wales, Randwick, NSW, Australia.,Neuroscience Research Australia, Randwick, NSW, Australia
| | - Moyra E Mortby
- School of Psychology, University of New South Wales, Randwick, NSW, Australia.,Neuroscience Research Australia, Randwick, NSW, Australia
| | - Ranmalee Eramudugolla
- Centre for Research on Ageing, Health and Wellbeing, Research School of Population Health, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, Australia.,School of Psychology, University of New South Wales, Randwick, NSW, Australia.,Neuroscience Research Australia, Randwick, NSW, Australia
| | - Imogen Gad
- Centre for Research on Ageing, Health and Wellbeing, Research School of Population Health, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, Australia.,Neuroscience Research Australia, Randwick, NSW, Australia
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Filges T, Siren A, Fridberg T, Nielsen BCV. Voluntary work for the physical and mental health of older volunteers: A systematic review. CAMPBELL SYSTEMATIC REVIEWS 2020; 16:e1124. [PMID: 37016617 PMCID: PMC8356337 DOI: 10.1002/cl2.1124] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
Background The increasing imbalance between the number of older adults not working and the number of adults in the age range of labour force participation (age range 20-64) has long been a fundamental public policy challenge in the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development member countries. At a societal level, this growing imbalance raises serious concerns about the viability and funding of social security, pensions and health programmes. At an individual level, the concern is probably more that of aging well with the prospect of many years in retirement. Some research suggests that retiring for some carries the risk of a fast decline in health. Volunteering can play a significant role in people's lives as they transition from work to retirement, as it offers a "structured" means of making a meaningful contribution in society once the opportunity to do so through work has been cut off. Some older people consider voluntary work as a way to replicate aspects of paid work lost upon retirement, such as organisational structure and time discipline. In many countries, volunteering of the older adults is increasing and programmes designed specifically for this subpopulation are emerging. Volunteering may contribute to both individuals aging well and society aging well, as volunteering by the older adults at the same time relieves the societal burden if it helps maintain health and functionality for those who volunteer. It thus remains to be established to what extent volunteering impacts on the physical and mental health of those who volunteer. Objectives The main objective of this review is to answer the following research question: what are the effects of volunteering on the physical and mental health of people aged 65 years or older? Search Strategy Relevant studies were identified through electronic searches of bibliographic databases, governmental and grey literature repositories, hand search in specific targeted journals, citation tracking, contact to international experts and internet search engines. The database searches were carried out to December 2018 and other resources were searched in September 2019 and October 2019. We searched to identify both published and unpublished literature. The searches were international in scope. Reference lists of included studies and relevant reviews were also searched. Selection Criteria The intervention of interest was formal volunteering which can be described as voluntary, on-going, planned, helping behaviour that intend to increase the well-being of strangers, offers no monetary compensation and typically occurs within an organisational context. We included older people aged 65 or over who are engaged in formal voluntary work. The primary focus was on measures of physical and mental health. All study designs that used a well-defined control group were eligible for inclusion. Studies that utilised qualitative approaches were not included. Data Collection and Analysis The total number of potential relevant studies constituted 17,046 hits. A total of 90 studies, met the inclusion criteria and were critically appraised by the review authors. The 90 studies analysed 47 different populations. Only 26 studies (analysing 19 different populations) could be used in the data synthesis. Forty-six studies could not be used in the data synthesis as they were judged to have too high risk of bias and, in accordance with the protocol, were excluded from the meta-analysis on the basis that they would be more likely to mislead than inform. Eighteen studies did not provide enough information enabling us to calculate an effects size and standard error or did not provide results in a form enabling us to use it in the data synthesis. Finally, of the 26 studies that could be used in the data synthesis, two pairs of studies used the same two data sets and reported on the same outcome(s), thus in addition two studies were not used in the data synthesis.Meta-analysis of both physical health outcomes and mental health outcomes were conducted on each metric separately. All analyses were inverse variance weighted using random effects statistical models that incorporate both the sampling variance and between study variance components into the study level weights. Random effects weighted mean effect sizes were calculated using 95% confidence intervals (CIs).Sensitivity analysis was carried out by restricting the meta-analysis to a subset of all studies included in the original meta-analysis and was used to evaluate whether the pooled effect sizes were robust across components of risk of bias. Results The 24 studies (analysing 19 different populations), used for meta analysis were from Australia, Ireland, Israel, Japan, Korea and United States, three were a randomised controlled trial and 21 were NRS. The baseline time period (the year the voluntary work that was analysed was measured) spanned by the included studies is 30 years, from 1984 to 2014 and on average the baseline year was 2001. On average the number of follow up years was 5, although with great variation from 0 to 25 years. The average number of volunteers analysed (not reported in four studies) was 2,369, ranging from 15 to 27,131 and the average number of controls was 13,581, ranging from 13 to 217.297. In total the average number of participants analysed was 14,566, ranging from 28 to 244.428.Ten studies analysed the effect of voluntary work on mortality, however, eight studies reported a hazard ratio and two studies reported an odds ratio. We analysed these two types of effect sizes separately. A hazard ratio <1 indicates that the treated, the volunteers is favoured. That is, the conditional mortality rate is lower for volunteers. All reported results indicated an effect favouring the volunteers, primary study effect sizes lied in the range 0.67-0.91. The random effects weighted mean hazard ratio was 0.76 (95% CI, 0.72-0.80) and statistically significant. The two studies that reported odds ratios of mortality supported this result. There was no heterogeneity between the studies in either of the meta analyses.Three studies analysed the effect of voluntary work on incident functional disability, using a hazard ratio as effect measure. All reported results indicated an effect favouring the volunteers, primary study effect sizes lied in the range 0.70-0.99. The random effects weighted mean hazard ratio was 0.83 (95% CI, 0.72-0.97) and statistically significant. There was a small amount of heterogeneity between the studies.Two studies analysed the effect of voluntary work on decline in instrumental activities of daily living, using an odds ratio as effect measure. Both reported results indicated an effect favouring the volunteers (0.63 and 0.83). The random effects weighted mean odds ratio was 0.73 (95% CI, 0.53-1.01) and not statistically significant. There is no heterogeneity between the two studies.Three studies analysed the effect of voluntary work on maintenance of functional competence, using an odds ratio as effect measure. All reported results indicated an effect favouring the volunteers, primary study effect sizes lied in the range 0.67-0.83. The random effects weighted mean odds ratio was 0.81 (95% CI, 0.70-0.94) and statistically significant. There is no heterogeneity between the studies.In addition a number of other physical outcomes were reported in a single study only.Three studies analysed the effect of voluntary work on depression, and reported results that enabled the calculation of standardised mean difference (SMD) and variance. The effect sizes are measured such that a positive effect size favours the volunteers. All reported results indicated an effect favouring the volunteers, primary study effect sizes lied in the range 0.05-0.66. The random effects weighted SMD was 0.12 (95% CI, 0.00-0.23) and statistically significant. There is a very small amount of heterogeneity between the studies.In addition, a number of other mental health outcomes were reported in a single study only.We did not find any adverse effects.There were no appreciable changes in the results across components of risk of bias as indicated by the sensitivity analysis. Authors' Conclusions The review aimed to examine effects on all types of physical and mental health outcomes. With the exception of mortality, there was insufficient evidence available. The available evidence, however, does suggest that there is an effect on the mortality of volunteers, although the effect is small. We found evidence that voluntary work reduces the mortality hazard of the volunteers aged 65 and above. The effect corresponds to a 43% chance of the volunteers dying first which should be compared to a fifty-fifty chance (50%) of dying first if the intervention had no effect. The evidence seems robust in the sense that we did not find any heterogeneity between the studies. As the intervention, unlike most other interventions in the social welfare area, is not costly, it could be prescribed to more older adults. In fact as the intervention in contrary to carrying a cost is a productive activity contributing directly to community well-being and has a positive effect on the volunteers it probably should be prescribed universally. However, due to the very nature of the intervention, it is voluntary and it cannot be prescribed. But more people could be encouraged to take up voluntary work if the opportunity was immediately available and visible.
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Jiao H, Wang Y, Liu M. The effect of the social network of the top management team on innovation in cultural and creative industries. JOURNAL OF CHINESE HUMAN RESOURCES MANAGEMENT 2019. [DOI: 10.1108/jchrm-10-2018-0021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to explore how the influence of the social network of the members of top management teams affects the firms’ innovation performance through organizational learning in cultural and creative industries in China.
Design/methodology/approach
Based on cultural and creative industries, this paper focuses on how the social network of members of top management teams affects innovation through organizational learning. Using upper Echelon theory and social capital theory, the paper puts forward the relationship between the top management team’s social network, organizational learning and innovation performance.
Findings
Drawing on the paradigm of organizational strategy duality (input-process-output), this paper constructs the conceptual model of “relational network – organizational learning − innovative performance” and attempts to reveal the relationship between the network, represented by the senior management network and organizational learning, and the mechanism behind their role in innovation performance. Finally, future research prospects are explored.
Research limitations/implications
Based on the analysis of the internal mechanism between the top management team network, organizational learning and innovation performance, the influence mechanism framework for the cultural and creative industries’ executive team social network on enterprise innovation is finally obtained, which provides theoretical guidance and a practical operation path for enterprise management innovation.
Originality/value
This research makes a theoretical contribution to the duality of organizational strategy and provides a practical operation path for enterprises to build a social network, and thereby promote innovation capabilities.
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