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Continuous Participation in Voluntary Groups as a Protective Factor for the Psychological Well-Being of Adults Who Develop Functional Limitations: Evidence From the National Survey of Families and Households

Department of Human Development and Family Studies, University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Objectives. Although previous studies have indicated that declining functional health is associated with individuals' poorer psychological well-being, few studies have examined factors that can protect adults from the loss of well-being following functional decline. Guided by continuity theory, this study investigated the extent to which continuous participation in voluntary groups (recreational, religious, and civic) buffers individuals against the harmful psychological effects of developing functional limitations.

Methods. Longitudinal data came from 4,646 respondents aged 35 to 92 in the National Survey of Families and Households (1987–1993) who reported having no functional limitations at Time 1.

Results. Multivariate models controlling for sociodemographic factors, as well as psychological well-being at Time 1, indicated that developing functional limitations over a 5-year period was associated with greater increases in depressive symptoms and lower levels of personal growth. Increases in depressive symptoms, however, were less severe among men who were continuously involved in recreational groups than among men who were not continuously involved in recreational groups. Additionally, the association between developing functional limitations and lower levels of personal growth did not hold for men or women who continuously participated in religious groups.

Discussion. Findings suggest that continuous participation in certain types of voluntary groups can moderate the problematic effects of developing functional limitations on psychological well-being.