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Volunteering in the Community: Potential Benefits for Cognitive Aging

Author

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  • Hayley Guiney
  • Liana Machado

Abstract

ObjectivesThis review aims to advance understanding of the potential benefits of volunteering in the community for older adults’ cognitive functioning by taking an in-depth look at the relevant evidence to date.MethodThis review describes the main pathways through which volunteering could plausibly benefit cognitive functioning and critically examines research that has specifically investigated links between volunteering and cognition. Fifteen articles that assessed in adults aged ≥ 55 years the relationship between volunteering (predictor) and cognitive functioning (outcome) were identified via literature database searches.ResultsOn balance, evidence from the small number of relevant studies to date supports the idea that volunteering can protect against cognitive aging with respect to global functioning and at least some specific cognitive domains. Studies that used robust designs and assessed domain-specific cognitive functioning produced the largest effect sizes.DiscussionTo help advance the field, this review puts forward recommendations for future research, with an emphasis on the need for robust study designs and specific investigations into the nature and extent of the cognitive benefits of volunteering. Through that work, researchers can determine how a simple and accessible activity like volunteering can best be used to help reduce the burden of age-related cognitive decline.

Suggested Citation

  • Hayley Guiney & Liana Machado, 2018. "Volunteering in the Community: Potential Benefits for Cognitive Aging," The Journals of Gerontology: Series B, The Gerontological Society of America, vol. 73(3), pages 399-408.
    • Handle: RePEc:oup:geronb:v:73:y:2018:i:3:p:399-408.
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    File URL: http://hdl.handle.net/10.1093/geronb/gbx134
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    Cited by:

    1. Clara Iñesta & Javier Oltra-Cucarella & Beatriz Bonete-López & Eva Calderón-Rubio & Esther Sitges-Maciá, 2021. "Regression-Based Normative Data for Independent and Cognitively Active Spanish Older Adults: Digit Span, Letters and Numbers, Trail Making Test and Symbol Digit Modalities Test," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(19), pages 1-18, September.
    2. Trine Filges & Anu Siren & Torben Fridberg & Bjørn C. V. Nielsen, 2020. "Voluntary work for the physical and mental health of older volunteers: A systematic review," Campbell Systematic Reviews, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 16(4), December.
    3. Han, Sae Hwang & Roberts, J. Scott & Mutchler, Jan E. & Burr, Jeffrey A., 2020. "Volunteering, polygenic risk for Alzheimer's disease, and cognitive functioning among older adults," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 253(C).
    4. Eva Serrat-Graboleda & Mònica González-Carrasco & Ferran Casas Aznar & Sara Malo Cerrato & David Cámara Liebana & Marta Roqueta-Vall-Llosera, 2021. "Factors Favoring and Hindering Volunteering by Older Adults and Their Relationship with Subjective Well-Being: A Mixed-Method Approach," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(13), pages 1-16, June.

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