Active Engagement in Retirement: Factors That Influence the Participation of Older People in Community Volunteering

Abstract

Although older adults participating in volunteering promotes “active ageing” and reduces social service burden, not many retied people in China participate in volunteering. Utilizing data from semi-structured interviews with 15 retired individuals in Beijing, this research explores the factors influencing their involvement in community volunteer services. Informed by resource theory and social ecological system theory, a hybrid three-level social ecological systems model is developed following thematic analysis. At the micro-level, foundational factors for volunteering are their human capital, including good health status, ample free time, and satisfaction with pensions. At the meso-level, social capital from family and peers provides essential information and support, while a cohesive community environment fostered through community and volunteer management enhances the willingness to volunteer. At the macro-level, CPC ideologies and governmental policies nurture a culture of volunteerism that facilitates community involvement. The study also investigates interactions across these levels: the microsystem and mesosystem mutually enhance human and social capital, whereas the macrosystem and mesosystem reflect the reciprocal influence of cultural on social capital. Recommendations are offered to increase retired people’s participation in community volunteering, emphasizing community management and governmental policy adjustments.

Keywords:

• Active aging
• social ecological system
• resource theory
• retired people
• community volunteering

Disclosure Statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s). All authors certify that they have no affiliations with or involvement in any organization or entity with any financial interest or non-financial interest in the subject matter or materials discussed in this manuscript.

Data Availability Statement

The datasets generated and analyzed during the current study are not publicly available due the fact that they are in Chinese but are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.

Notes

1 United Nations. World Population Prospects 2022: https://www.un.org/development/desa/pd/sites/www.un.org.development.desa.pd/files/wpp2022_summary_of_results.pdf

2 National Bureau of Statistics Open Data 2024: https://www.stats.gov.cn/xxgk/jd/sjjd2020/202401/t20240118_1946711.html

3 The General Office of the State Council, 25^th October, 2016: http://www.gov.cn/xinwen/2016-10/25/content_5124174.htm.

Additional information

Funding

This research was support by the Beijing Municipal Social Science Foundation (No. 19GLB026).

Notes on contributors

Hui He

Hui He is a professor in the Department of Business Administration at the Business School of Beijing Technology and Business University. Her main research interests focus on organizational behavior and human resource management.

Xiaoqian Zhao

Xiaoqian Zhao is currently a Master’s student in the Department of Business Administration at the Business School of Beijing Technology and Business University. Her main research interests focus on business administration.

Yaoyao Fu

Yaoyao Fu is an Associate Professor in the Department of Business Administration at the Business School of Beijing Technology and Business University. Her main research interests focus on the critical studies of organizations and employment relations.