Title |
Association of Strength of Community Service to Personal Wellbeing
|
---|---|
Published in |
Community Mental Health Journal, December 2013
|
DOI | 10.1007/s10597-013-9660-0 |
Pubmed ID | |
Authors |
W. Rodman MacIlvaine, Lindsay A. Nelson, Jeanette A. Stewart, William C. Stewart |
Abstract |
To assess the impact of community service on personal wellbeing in a mid-west church-based population. A prospective survey evaluating: self-reported community service, the perceived benefit of the service and its association to personal wellbeing. 309 participants were included of whom 92 % were employed full or part time, homemakers or students. Those who served in some capacity had better scores on five Wellbeing questions including: contentment, peace, joy, purpose and community acceptance (P < 0.02), but not better self-perceived mental or physical health (P > 0.05). People who served had a better combined Wellbeing score than those who could not serve (P = 0.03). A higher number of hours served/week was associated with better Global Wellbeing (P = 0.02). The greatest perceived benefit of service was related to enhancing wellbeing of others and the service organization itself (P < 0.0001). Church going adults, who are serving in some capacity in their church or community, may demonstrate heightened personal wellbeing compared to those who are not assisting others. |
Mendeley readers
Geographical breakdown
Country | Count | As % |
---|---|---|
Unknown | 47 | 100% |
Demographic breakdown
Readers by professional status | Count | As % |
---|---|---|
Unspecified | 9 | 19% |
Student > Doctoral Student | 9 | 19% |
Student > Ph. D. Student | 5 | 11% |
Student > Bachelor | 4 | 9% |
Student > Master | 4 | 9% |
Other | 9 | 19% |
Unknown | 7 | 15% |
Readers by discipline | Count | As % |
---|---|---|
Unspecified | 9 | 19% |
Psychology | 8 | 17% |
Social Sciences | 7 | 15% |
Nursing and Health Professions | 6 | 13% |
Medicine and Dentistry | 3 | 6% |
Other | 5 | 11% |
Unknown | 9 | 19% |