Physiological correlates of volunteering: health, neurology, hormones, and genetics

Abstract

We review the evidence on physiological correlates of volunteering, a neglected but promising field of research. Volunteers are in better health, both self-reported and assessed, and perform better on cognitive tasks. Research thus far has not examined neurological, neurochemical, hormonal and genetic correlates of volunteering. Studies on charitable giving suggest that these physiological characteristics are related to volunteering, including specific genes (such as OXTR genes, AVPR genes, DRD4, 5HTTLPR). We recommend that future research is extended to nonwestern populations, focuses specifically on volunteering, and differentiates between forms of volunteering.