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Health Benefits Associated With Three Helping Behaviors: Evidence for Incident Cardiovascular Disease

Author

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  • Jeffrey A Burr
  • Saehwang Han
  • Hyo Jung Lee
  • Jane L Tavares
  • Jan E Mutchler

Abstract

ObjectiveThe purpose of this study was to investigate the association between three helping behaviors and incident cardiovascular disease (CVD; heart attack, stroke; fatal and nonfatal), with an exploration of gender differences. The study is framed within the caregiving system model. Helping others is argued to be an evolved characteristic of humans that yields beneficial health effects.MethodsData were taken from the 2004–2014 waves of the Health and Retirement Study. The three forms of helping others considered were formal volunteering, informal helping, and caregiving for a parent or spouse. Cox proportional hazards models were estimated for gender-stratified samples.ResultsWomen who volunteered showed a lower risk of incident CVD compared to women who did not volunteer. Men who informally helped others in the community exhibited a lower risk of incident CVD compared to men who did not provide this form of help. Caregiving status was generally not associated with incident CVD for women or men.DiscussionThe results demonstrated that specific types of prosocial behavior may be beneficial for women and men. However, tests for effect differences showed that gender did not moderate the relationships between these helping behaviors and CVD risk.

Suggested Citation

  • Jeffrey A Burr & Saehwang Han & Hyo Jung Lee & Jane L Tavares & Jan E Mutchler, 2018. "Health Benefits Associated With Three Helping Behaviors: Evidence for Incident Cardiovascular Disease," The Journals of Gerontology: Series B, The Gerontological Society of America, vol. 73(3), pages 492-500.
    • Handle: RePEc:oup:geronb:v:73:y:2018:i:3:p:492-500.
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    File URL: http://hdl.handle.net/10.1093/geronb/gbx082
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    Cited by:

    1. Trine Filges & Anu Siren & Torben Fridberg & Bjørn C. V. Nielsen, 2020. "Voluntary work for the physical and mental health of older volunteers: A systematic review," Campbell Systematic Reviews, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 16(4), December.
    2. Dury, Sarah & Stas, Lara & Switsers, Lise & Duppen, Daan & Domènech-Abella, Joan & Dierckx, Eva & Donder, Liesbeth De, 2021. "Gender-related differences in the relationship between social and activity participation and health and subjective well-being in later life," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 270(C).

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