title: Differential impact of multiple levels of productive activity engagement on psychological well-being in middle and later life.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study tested the effect of multiple levels of engagement in the productive roles of paid work, volunteering, and caregiving on midlife and older adults' psychological well-being.
  
  
  METHODS
  Using cross-sectional data from a sample of 330 adults aged 50 and older (largely white, women, and educated), a treatment effects model was employed to test the impact of four levels of engagement (not involved and low, medium, and high engagement) on psychological well-being.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Those involved in work or volunteer activities who were high in engagement reported greater psychological well-being than those who were not involved, whereas those who were low or medium in engagement reported lower well-being than those not involved. A different pattern emerged for caregiving; midlevels of engagement were associated with higher well-being compared with the noninvolved, whereas low and high levels of engagement were associated with lower well-being.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Findings suggest that one's experience of an activity plays an important role in the extent to which involvement is associated with positive outcomes. Recommendations for enhancing role quality to promote psychological well-being in middle and later life are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Address correspondence to Christina Matz-Costa, Graduate School of Social Work, Boston College, 203 McGuinn Hall, 140 Commonwealth Avenue, Chestnut Hill, MA 02467. E-mail: matzch@bc.edu.
authors.forename: Christina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Matz-Costa
authors.forename: Elyssa
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Besen
authors.forename: Jacquelyn
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Boone James
authors.forename: Marcie
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Pitt-Catsouphes
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living / Q000523:psychology*; D000375:Aging / Q000523:psychology*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004651:Employment / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010549:Personal Satisfaction; D012179:Retirement / Q000523:psychology*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014838:Volunteers