Unpacking the relation between extraversion and volunteering in later life: The role of social capital

Morris A. Okun; John Pugliese; Karen S. Rook

doi:10.1016/j.paid.2006.10.020

Unpacking the relation between extraversion and volunteering in later life: The role of social capital

Morris A. Okun, John Pugliese, Karen S. Rook

Psychology

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

48 Scopus citations

Abstract

This study tested the hypothesis that the relation between extraversion and volunteering by older adults is fully mediated by social capital (participation in clubs and organizations, church attendance, and contact with friends). Data for this study come from 888 adults between the ages of 65-90 years old who participated in the Later Life Study of Social Exchanges (LLSSE). In support of our hypothesis, structural equation modeling revealed that extraversion exerted: (a) a significant total effect on volunteering (0.122), (b) significant indirect effects on volunteering via contact with friends (0.042), church attendance (0.034), and clubs and organizations (females only: 0.042), and (c) a non-significant direct effect on volunteering (0.010). These findings suggest that social capital provides a viable explanation for the association between extraversion and volunteering.

Original language	English (US)
Pages (from-to)	1467-1477
Number of pages	11
Journal	Personality and Individual Differences
Volume	42
Issue number	8
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.paid.2006.10.020
State	Published - Jun 2007

Keywords

Church attendance
Extraversion
Friends
Older adults
Organizational ties
Social capital

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Psychology(all)

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10.1016/j.paid.2006.10.020

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title = "Unpacking the relation between extraversion and volunteering in later life: The role of social capital",

abstract = "This study tested the hypothesis that the relation between extraversion and volunteering by older adults is fully mediated by social capital (participation in clubs and organizations, church attendance, and contact with friends). Data for this study come from 888 adults between the ages of 65-90 years old who participated in the Later Life Study of Social Exchanges (LLSSE). In support of our hypothesis, structural equation modeling revealed that extraversion exerted: (a) a significant total effect on volunteering (0.122), (b) significant indirect effects on volunteering via contact with friends (0.042), church attendance (0.034), and clubs and organizations (females only: 0.042), and (c) a non-significant direct effect on volunteering (0.010). These findings suggest that social capital provides a viable explanation for the association between extraversion and volunteering.",

keywords = "Church attendance, Extraversion, Friends, Older adults, Organizational ties, Social capital",

author = "Okun, {Morris A.} and John Pugliese and Rook, {Karen S.}",

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T2 - The role of social capital

AU - Okun, Morris A.

AU - Pugliese, John

AU - Rook, Karen S.

N1 - Funding Information: This research was supported by a grant from the National Institute on Aging, AG14130.

PY - 2007/6

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Unpacking the relation between extraversion and volunteering in later life: The role of social capital

Abstract

Keywords

ASJC Scopus subject areas

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