Providing emotional support to others, self-esteem, and self-rated health.
The purpose of this study is to assess the effects of helping others on self-rated health in middle and late life. Data are from a nationwide sample of middle-aged and older adults (N=1154). The findings indicate that women and Blacks are more likely than men or Whites to help others. Moreover, the results suggest that people who attend church more often are especially likely to help others. The data further reveal that people who help others are more likely to have a greater sense of self-worth and people with more self-esteem, in turn, tend to rate their health in a more favorable way. The findings help clarify issues in the assessment of helping others in middle and late life.
['Krause|Neal|N|']
D000368:Aged D044383:Blacks D005260:Female D006304:Health Status D006801:Humans D008297:Male D008875:Middle Aged D012067:Religion D012649:Self Concept D057566:Self Report D012737:Sex Factors D012944:Social Support D044465:Whites
Self-esteem Self-rated health Helping others