Research article summary (published 11 Oct 2009):

Felt obligation to help others as a protective factor against losses in psychological well-being following functional decline in middle and later life.

Full Abstract

This study examined felt obligation to help others in two domains (close others and society) as protective factors against losses in psychological well-being following functional decline. Lagged-dependent regression models were estimated using data from 849 respondents aged 35-74 years and without any functional limitations at baseline in the 1995-2005 National Survey of Midlife in the United States. Greater felt obligation to help close others protected against declining self-acceptance in the face of more severe functional decline, and greater felt obligation to help society protected against declining personal growth and self-acceptance. Greater felt obligation to help close others and society protected against increasing depressive symptoms at younger ages in adulthood. Findings suggest the importance for additional research on how aspects of altruism can promote psychological adaptation to declining functional health in middle and later life.

Author information

Author/s: Greenfield, Emily A (EA);

Affiliation: School of Social Work, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, New Brunswick, NJ 08901, USA. egreenf(-atsign-)ssw.rutgers.edu

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Journal Article

Journal: The journals of gerontology. Series B, Psychological sciences and social sciences (J Gerontol B Psychol Sci Soc Sci), published in United States. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2009-Nov; vol 64 (issue 6) : pp 723-32

Dates: Created 2009/10/19; Completed 2009/10/27;

PMID: 19825942, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 10/27/2009, IMS Date: )

Sourced from the National Library of Medicine. Abstract text and other information may be subject to copyright.

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MeSH headings (categories)

This article was linked to the MESH Headings shown below.

Activities of Daily Living - psychology Adaptation, Psychological Adult Affect Aged Aging - psychology Altruism Anxiety - psychology Attitude to Health Depression - psychology Empathy Female Grief Health Surveys

Humans Intention Internal-External Control Male Middle Aged Moral Obligations Motivation Quality of Life - psychology Questionnaires Self Concept Social Responsibility Social Support Socioeconomic Factors United States

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