Volunteers surrounded by glowing orbs representing respect and appreciation.

The Respect Effect: Why Feeling Valued Boosts Volunteer Success and Well-being

Nico Varela in Health & Wellness November 2025 • 4 min read.

"New research reveals the powerful link between feeling respected and staying motivated, healthy, and happy as a volunteer."

Volunteering offers a wealth of benefits, from improving physical and mental health to fostering a sense of community. Millions dedicate their time and energy to causes they care about, yet not all volunteering experiences are created equal. A growing body of research highlights a critical ingredient for successful and fulfilling volunteer work: respect.

According to a study by Dwight C.K. Tse, respect is directly linked to a volunteer's willingness to continue their service, their daily emotional state, and their long-term well-being. This means that feeling valued for their contributions isn't just a nice-to-have – it's a fundamental need that shapes a volunteer's overall experience.

This article will explore the key findings of the study, diving into how felt respect influences volunteer retention, daily affect, long-term well-being, and even longevity. We'll also uncover actionable insights for organizations looking to cultivate a culture of respect and maximize the positive impact of their volunteer programs.

The Science of Respect: Unpacking the Study's Key Findings

Volunteers surrounded by glowing orbs representing respect and appreciation.

The study, published in the Journals of Gerontology, Series B: Psychological Sciences and Social Sciences, examined data from 2,677 volunteers participating in the Midlife in the United States (MIDUS) project. By analyzing survey responses and mortality data over a 20-year period, researchers uncovered compelling connections between felt respect and various outcomes.

Here's a breakdown of the study's key findings:

Volunteering Retention: Volunteers who felt more respected were significantly more likely to continue volunteering 10 and 20 years later. Those feeling 'a lot' of respect showed the highest retention rates.
Daily Affect: Feeling respected was associated with higher levels of daily positive emotions (like cheerfulness) and lower levels of daily negative emotions (like nervousness).
Long-Term Well-being: Volunteers who felt respected reported higher levels of overall well-being over the 20-year study period. This included measures of subjective, psychological, and social well-being.
Longevity: While the study didn't find a direct statistical link between felt respect and mortality across the entire group, older volunteers who felt more respected tended to have lower mortality hazards.

These findings strongly suggest that respect plays a crucial role in sustaining volunteer engagement and fostering a positive experience. When volunteers feel valued, they're more likely to stick around, feel good, and thrive in the long run.

Creating a Culture of Respect: Practical Steps for Organizations

The research makes it clear: fostering respect is not just a gesture of goodwill but a strategic imperative for organizations relying on volunteers. So, what can be done to cultivate a culture of respect? By creating a supportive environment, organizations can empower volunteers to thrive. Consider implementing these strategies for a more fulfilling and successful volunteer experience.

About this Article -

This article was crafted using a human-AI hybrid and collaborative approach. AI assisted our team with initial drafting, research insights, identifying key questions, and image generation. Our human editors guided topic selection, defined the angle, structured the content, ensured factual accuracy and relevance, refined the tone, and conducted thorough editing to deliver helpful, high-quality information.See our About page for more information.

Everything You Need To Know

What is the 'Respect Effect', and how does feeling valued impact volunteers?

The 'Respect Effect' highlights that when volunteers feel valued, it significantly boosts their commitment, health, and happiness. Specifically, research indicates that felt respect directly correlates with a volunteer's willingness to continue serving, their daily emotional state (experiencing more positive and fewer negative emotions), and their long-term well-being, influencing subjective, psychological, and social dimensions.

What data and populations was used to highlight the 'Respect Effect' on volunteers?

The study published in the Journals of Gerontology, Series B: Psychological Sciences and Social Sciences used data from the Midlife in the United States (MIDUS) project. Researchers analyzed survey responses and mortality data from 2,677 volunteers over 20 years to uncover connections between felt respect, volunteer retention, daily emotional state, long-term well-being, and longevity.

According to the study, what are the main benefits volunteers experience when they feel respected?

The study in the Journals of Gerontology, Series B: Psychological Sciences and Social Sciences revealed several key outcomes: higher volunteer retention rates among those who felt respected, a correlation between feeling respected and experiencing more positive daily emotions (like cheerfulness) and fewer negative ones (like nervousness), increased overall well-being reported by respected volunteers over the 20-year period, and a tendency for older volunteers feeling respected to have lower mortality hazards.

Does feeling respected actually impact how long volunteers live, and what did the study reveal about this?

While the study from the Journals of Gerontology, Series B: Psychological Sciences and Social Sciences didn't establish a direct statistical link between felt respect and lower mortality across all volunteers in the Midlife in the United States (MIDUS) project, it indicated that older volunteers who reported feeling more respected tended to exhibit reduced mortality hazards. This suggests that the 'Respect Effect' on longevity may be more pronounced among older individuals, but further research is needed to fully understand this relationship and potential moderating factors.

What can organizations do to create a culture of respect and improve the volunteer experience?

Organizations can foster a culture of respect by implementing several strategies. Some of these include actively acknowledging and appreciating volunteers' contributions, providing opportunities for growth and development, soliciting and acting upon volunteer feedback, and ensuring a supportive and inclusive environment. This approach maximizes the positive impact of their volunteer programs, leading to increased volunteer retention, enhanced emotional well-being, and overall success.