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Cited by 70Aging, Health, and DisabilityAging and Gerontology ResearchHealth and Well-being Studies

Social productivity and depressive symptoms in early old age–results from the GAZEL study

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Wahrendorf, M., Ribet, C., Zins, M., Siegrist, J.·2008·Aging & Mental Health
DOI 10.1080/13607860802120805PMC PMC2802287
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Abstract

OBJECTIVES: We test associations of frequency of performing three types of socially productive activities (voluntary work, informal help and caring for a person) with depressive symptoms in older people. Are depressive symptoms negatively associated with frequency in all three types or rather in those activities that are characterized by a high degree of autonomy and perceived control? METHODS: Data on social activities and frequency of performance were collected in the frame of the annual follow-up of the French GAZEL cohort study in 2005. Depressive symptoms were measured by the CES-D scale. Perceived control was assessed by two items of a quality of life measure (CASP-19). Total of 14477 respondents aged 52-66 years completed a standardized questionnaire. Linear regression models were calculated adjusting for important confounders including self-rated health assessed during the previous year. RESULTS: In activities characterized by high autonomy (in particular voluntary work) a negative association of frequency with depressive symptoms was observed, whereas the reverse effect was found in the type of activity with low autonomy (care for a person). Perceived control mediated in part the association of frequency of activity with depressive symptoms. CONCLUSION: Being often socially productive in early old age may contribute to well-being to the extent that autonomy and perceived control are given.

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  • Productive activity may influence health and wellbeing through satisfaction with outcomes, economic gains, mental stimulation, comforting personal routines, sense of purpose, and increased self-efficacy or self-esteem.

    “On the other hand, productive activity may influence health and wellbeing through satisfaction with outcomes, economic gains, mental stimulation, comforting personal routines, sense of purpose, and increased self-efficacy or self-esteem (Wahrendorf et al. 2008).”

    From A critical review of the literature on social and leisure activity and wellbeing in later life (2011) · cites this paper as Wahrendorf et al. 2008

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Authors
Wahrendorf, M., Ribet, C., Zins, M., & Siegrist, J.
Affiliations
  • Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf (DE)
  • Inserm (FR)
Corresponding author
Wahrendorf, M.
ORCID
Venue
Aging & Mental Health
Publisher
Informa UK Limited
Published
2008-05
Volume
12
Issue
3
Pages
310-316
ISSN
  • 1360-7863 (ISSN-L)
  • 1364-6915
DOI
10.1080/13607860802120805
PMC
PMC2802287
OpenAlex
W2061147114
Cited by
70
References
42
Citations by year
2026: 1 · 2025: 2 · 2024: 2 · 2023: 3 · 2022: 2 · 2021: 4 · 2020: 3 · 2019: 5 · 2018: 1 · 2017: 2 · 2016: 4 · 2015: 5 · 2014: 10 · 2013: 8 · 2012: 5
FWCI
4.31
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Aging & Mental Health (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (acceptedVersion)
  • HAL (submittedVersion, other-oa)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health › Aging, Health, and Disability
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Neuropsychology and Physiological Psychology › Aging and Gerontology Research
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Health and Well-being Studies
Keywords
social productivity, depressive symptoms, early old age, volunteering, informal support, caregiving, perceived control, autonomy, well-being, GAZEL cohort, self-rated health
MeSH terms
Age Factors, Aged, Depression, Female, Follow-Up Studies, France, Helping Behavior, Humans, Internal-External Control, Male, Middle Aged, Models, Psychological, Prospective Studies, Quality of Life, Surveys and Questionnaires, Social Behavior, Social Isolation, Volunteers, Cohort Studies, Caregivers, Personal Autonomy

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