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This study examines the relationship between voluntary associations and the psychological
well-being of older people through path analysis.
The goals of the study were: (1) to ascertain whether differential research findings
are due to measurement artifact, (2) to evaluate the assertions of traditional activity
theory versus those of a modified activity theory taking quality into account, and
(3) to isolate factors which contribute to and/or mediate the relationship of voluntary-association
participation and psychological well-being. Analysis was conducted at two levels.
First, a model was developed to study individual participation in voluntary associations,
satisfaction with participation, and well-being. Second, a model was developed to
examine types of volimtary associations and their effects on satisfaction with participation
and on well-being.
Subjects were 50 members of voluntary associations who were recruited from target
groups in the Durham, North Carolina area. There were 26 males and 24 females. They
ranged in age from 61 to 90.
The results of the individual path analysis indicate that differential findings due
to measurement artifact is likely. After controlling for the effects of health, education,
income, and social desirability bias in the model, voluntary-association activity
as measured by the Chapin scale was significantly correlated with psychological well-being
as measured by the Bradburn scale; however, measurement of volantary-association activity
by an average number of meetings measure was not correlated significantly with any
measure of well-being. In addition, the Chapin measure did not correlate significantly
with the LSI-Z or with the Cantril Ladder.
The examination of traditional activity theory versus modified activity theory was
somewhat inconclusive, although the results did suggest that mere participation may
have effects on psychological well-being that are equal to or greater than the effects
of satisfaction with participation.
The results of the voluntary association path analysis indicate that their characteristics
have consequences both for satisfaction with voluntary associations and for psychological
well-being. People who belonged to larger groups were significantly more satisfied
with those groups and also were significantly happier. Also, even though people who
belonged to age-graded groups were slightly more satisfied with these groups, they
were significantly less happy. In addition, people who belonged to church-related
groups were slightly more satisfied with these groups, but were significantly less
happy. Finally, people who belonged to instrumental groups were slightly less satisfied
with these groups than with more expressive groups and were slightly less happy.
Discussion focused on possible explanations for the findings. It was suggested that
a "happiness" measure seems more sensitive to effects such as those of voluntary-association
activity. As for satisfaction with voluntary associations, it was acknowledged that
the mere fact that respondents are taking an active part in life may be a key factor
to their well-being. As explanations for the findings related to size of voluntary
associations, it was suggested that large group activity may be less emotionally demanding
and/or may allow contact with more potential friends. For age-graded groups, it was
suggested that many older people may maintain a view of themselves as "younger" as
the result of non-age-graded activities. For church- related groups, it was suggested
that prior findings are due to the relationship between religiosity and well-being
rather than characteristics of such groups. Finally, for the instrumental-expressive
variable, it was suggested that older people such as in this sample may not value
"feeling useful" as much as has been thought.
Suggestions for future research included alternative methods of measuring association
satisfaction, longitudinal analysis with representative sampling, and further investigation
of voluntary-association characteristics.
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