Interactions of Socioeconomic and Ethnoracial Factors Shaping Formal and Informal Volunteerism in Later Life
2024

Socioeconomic and Ethnoracial Factors in Volunteerism Among Older Adults

publication Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): Lai Patrick Ho Lam

Primary Institution: Boston College

Hypothesis

How do socioeconomic status and ethnoracial identities interact to influence formal and informal volunteerism in later life?

Conclusion

Older Hispanic and Black adults are less likely to engage in formal and informal volunteer activities compared to older Asian adults, especially when education or income decreases.

Supporting Evidence

  • Older Hispanic adults have 0.907 times the likelihood of engaging in formal volunteer activities compared to older Asian adults.
  • Older Black adults have 0.983 times the likelihood of engaging in formal volunteer activities compared to older Asian adults.
  • Older Black adults show 0.928 times the odds of engaging in informal volunteerism compared to older Asian adults.

Takeaway

This study looks at how money and background affect older people's willingness to help others, showing that some groups are more affected than others.

Methodology

The study used bivariate probit models to analyze data from the 2019 and 2021 Current Population Surveys.

Participant Demographics

Older adults from various ethnoracial backgrounds.

Statistical Information

Statistical Significance

p<0.05

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1093/geroni/igae098.2887

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