EAST LANSING — With Giving Tuesday coming to a close, researchers are highlighting evidence that community service and volunteer work could be associated with positive health outcomes for children and adolescents.
That’s according to psychologists and a 2023 study which found an association between frequent charity work and lower rates of anxiety and behavioral issues.
Bill Chopik, a psychology professor at Michigan State University, says that frequent volunteering can also be associated with lower rates of chronic illness, early cognitive impairment and heart disease later in life.
“People who volunteer and give live longer,” Chopik said. “They have less disability, they have better mental health, so they’re more optimistic about the future. They have more purpose in life.”
The 2023 study — published by the Journal of the American Medical Association — also found links between youth volunteer work and positive mental health.
”It reduces stress, it makes you feel good to give,” Chopik said. “There is an assumption that if you’re giving or being pro-social in general, a bunch of other things are probably going well in your life, and that’s correlated with a bunch of good stuff.”
Cecilia Chesney is CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northwest Michigan.
“They feel like they’re making a difference,’ she said of young volunteers. “They have a sense of purpose, which really helps boost their self-esteem, and it really helps with depression or anxiety.”
Big Brothers Big Sisters pairs mentors with younger children, and Chesney says both sides see the benefits.
“The truth of the matter is, anybody who gives of their time — volunteering and helping — feels good about that. That’s just human nature,” she said.
Kelley Kuhn, president of the Michigan Nonprofit Association, says that Giving Tuesday is a chance to recognize those benefits and highlight the importance of giving time to non-profits in your area if you can’t give financially.
“When it comes down to meeting needs in-community, it is always at the local level,” she said. “It is neighbors helping neighbors, community helping community — and this day is a great day to remind us about the importance of doing just that.”
David Mengebier is president and CEO of the Grand Traverse Regional Community Foundation.
He says that this year, the organization has received gifts from more than 800 donors and has awarded close to $4 million in grants and scholarships.
“We see the satisfaction that our donors and our volunteers gain from being involved in our community — supporting the arts, supporting education, environment, youth and family programs — on a daily basis,” he said.
Mengebier says that giving is often more rewarding than receiving, and that he sees community benefits around Northern Michigan.
”I think the reason that people find giving so rewarding is it gives them a purpose — either volunteers, so they’re donating their time, or donors, contributing their financial resources. They feel like they’re really making a difference in the place where they work and live,” he said.
The research doesn’t necessarily mean that volunteer work results in better health outcomes. It could also show that healthier people are more likely to have the time and resources available for volunteer work.