Communication, Volunteering, and Aging: A Research Agenda

Authors

  • Jessica Gasiorek University of Hawaii at Manoa Department of Communicology University of Hawaii at Manoa 2560 Campus Road, George Hall 321 Honolulu, HI 96822
  • Howard Giles University of California, Santa Barbara

Abstract

Americans’ annual volunteer service totals over 8 billion hours and is estimated to be worth more than 100 billion dollars. Older adults perform much of this work, and being a volunteer has been identified as a predictor of successful aging. Despite its prevalence and importance in this demographic group, volunteering remains understudied in the field of communication. This theoretical article integrates work from various disciplines to examine the topics of volunteering and successful aging through a communication lens. After defining volunteering, we systematically outline how communication can inform the study of volunteering. We then briefly highlight potential determinants and motivations for older adults’ volunteering and examine the link between volunteering and successful aging, arguing that many of the documented benefits of volunteering may in fact result from the communicative opportunities it affords. Finally, we outline an agenda for future research on communication, successful aging, and volunteering.

Author Biographies

Jessica Gasiorek, University of Hawaii at Manoa Department of Communicology University of Hawaii at Manoa 2560 Campus Road, George Hall 321 Honolulu, HI 96822

Assistant ProfessorNovember 2013

Howard Giles, University of California, Santa Barbara

Professor: CommunicationOffice: 805/893-2055Home: 805/967-9626

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Published

2013-12-02

Issue

Vol. 7 (2013)

Section

Articles

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