Asian Ethnic Group Differences in Formal and Informal Volunteerism Among Adults Aged 50 and over in the United States

Background and Purpose: Volunteerism in later life contributes to individual well-being, social cohesion, and the sustainability of community services. However, disparities in volunteer engagement persist across ethnoracial groups, with Asian Americans often underrepresented or treated as a homogenous group in existing research. Given the substantial heterogeneity within the Asian population in the United States, this study seeks to disaggregate data to examine differences in both formal and informal volunteerism among Asian ethnic subgroups. Specifically, this study investigates the extent to which socio-economic resources, including income and education, interact with ethnic identity to influence volunteer engagement among Asian Americans in midlife and later life.

Methods: This study used pooled data from the Civic Engagement and Volunteering Supplement of the Current Population Survey (CPS) for the years 2017, 2019, and 2021. The analytic sample included 9,607 adults aged 50-75 who self-identified as Asian, White, Black, or Hispanic, with a focus on six Asian subgroups: Chinese, Filipino, Japanese, Korean, Asian Indian, and Vietnamese. Formal volunteerism was defined as unpaid work conducted through organizations, while informal volunteerism referred to assisting individuals outside one's family without involvement in formal organizations. Logistic regression models were employed to examine subgroup differences in volunteer participation and interaction effects between socio-economic resources and ethnic identity, controlling age, gender, employment status, marital status, and self-rated health.

Results: Significant variations in volunteer engagement were found across Asian subgroups. Japanese (OR = 1.622, p<.01), Koreans (OR = 1.760, p<.01), and Vietnamese (OR = 1.675, p<.01) were significantly more likely to participate in formal volunteering compared to Chinese, who consistently showed the lowest rates. Filipinos (OR = 1.426, p<.01) were more likely to engage in informal volunteerism. Socio-economic resources, especially education, played a partial role in explaining these disparities. Education had a less positive impact on formal volunteering for Koreans (OR = .942, p<.01), Vietnamese (OR = .940, p<.01), and other subgroups (OR = .952, p<.01) compared to Chinese, while income had a stronger influence on Filipinos (OR = 1.172, p<.05) and other subgroups (OR = 1.168, p<.05). Informal volunteerism showed limited interaction effects with socio-economic resources, highlighting distinct dynamics between formal and informal engagement.

Conclusions and Implications: Findings highlight the need to differentiate between Asian subgroups to uncover hidden disparities and distinct patterns in formal and informal volunteerism among older adults. The varying influence of socio-economic resources across subgroups suggests that group-specific cultural, historical, and migration factors may shape volunteer behaviors in nuanced ways. Policymakers and social work practitioners should consider these differences when designing outreach and engagement strategies. Culturally responsive programs are needed to reduce barriers and promote inclusive volunteer opportunities for diverse midlife and older populations. Future research should explore the roles of cultural norms, familial expectations, and institutional access in shaping both formal and informal volunteerism among Asian American subgroups.