title: Self-esteem mediates the relationship between volunteering and depression for African American caregivers.
abstract: Research on the influence of volunteering on mental health outcomes has not placed enough focus on African American female caregivers who are at risk for adverse outcomes such as depression. This study addresses this gap by examining the mechanism through which volunteering might influence depressive symptoms using data collected from 521 African American female caregivers of older adults. Regression results indicate that although volunteering is inversely associated with depressive symptoms, self-esteem mediates this relationship. Findings suggest inclusion in volunteering for African American female caregivers may be relevant to promotion of their mental well-being.
authors.affiliation: School of Social Work, University of Missouri-St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri 63121, USA. shenhue@umsl.edu
authors.forename: Huei-Wern
authors.initials: HW
authors.lastname: Shen
authors.forename: Joseph G
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: Pickard
authors.forename: Sharon D
authors.initials: SD
authors.lastname: Johnson
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living / Q000523:psychology; D000328:Adult; D001741:Black or African American / Q000523:psychology*; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D017028:Caregivers / Q000523:psychology*; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology; D012649:Self Concept; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014481:United States; D014838:Volunteers / Q000523:psychology*; D055815:Young Adult