Volunteering and Loneliness: The Differential Effects of Volunteer Types

Abstract

As the sense of loneliness has emerged as a serious social issue, several research has appeared recently. While previous studies has confirmed the positive implications of volunteering to perceived loneliness, they tended to focus on the old who has retired or widowed. But the literature indicates that people suffer from loneliness all over the life courses and so the study that cover those who are young as well as old is necessary. Using the data from a nationwide sample of 5,000 adults, this research examines the relationship between volunteering and loneliness in Korea. We find that volunteering is negatively associated with sense of loneliness for Koreans. In particular, participations in preservation of environment and supports of the social weak has strong positive implications. These findings recommend volunteering as a good cure of loneliness.