Providing emotional support to others, self-esteem, and self-rated health

•Women and Blacks are more likely to help others than men or Whites.•People who go to church more often are more likely to help others.•People who help others have a greater sense of self-worth.•People with high self-esteem tend to rate their health in a more favorable manner.

The purpose of this study is to assess the effects of helping others on self-rated health in middle and late life. Data are from a nationwide sample of middle-aged and older adults (N = 1154). The findings indicate that women and Blacks are more likely than men or Whites to help others. Moreover, the results suggest that people who attend church more often are especially likely to help others. The data further reveal that people who help others are more likely to have a greater sense of self-worth and people with more self-esteem, in turn, tend to rate their health in a more favorable way. The findings help clarify issues in the assessment of helping others in middle and late life.