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Longitudinal Associations Between Formal Volunteering and Cognitive Functioning

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  • Christine M Proulx
  • Angela L Curl
  • Ashley E Ermer

Abstract

ObjectivesThe present study examines the association between formal volunteering and cognitive functioning over time. We also examine the moderating roles of race, sex, education, and time.MethodUsing 11,100 participants aged 51 years and older and nine waves of data from the Health and Retirement Survey, we simultaneously modeled the longitudinal associations between engaging in formal volunteering and changes in cognitive functioning using multilevel models.ResultsFormal volunteering was associated with higher levels of cognitive functioning over time, especially with aspects of cognitive functioning related to working memory and processing. This association was stronger for women than it was for men, and for those with below average levels of education. The positive association between formal volunteering and cognitive functioning weakened over time when cognitive functioning was conceptualized as memory, but strengthened over time when conceptualized as working memory and processing.DiscussionVolunteering is a productive activity that is beneficial not just to society, but to volunteers’ levels of cognitive functioning in older age. For women and those with lower levels of education, formal volunteering appears particularly beneficial to working memory and processing.

Suggested Citation

  • Christine M Proulx & Angela L Curl & Ashley E Ermer, 2018. "Longitudinal Associations Between Formal Volunteering and Cognitive Functioning," The Journals of Gerontology: Series B, The Gerontological Society of America, vol. 73(3), pages 522-531.
    • Handle: RePEc:oup:geronb:v:73:y:2018:i:3:p:522-531.
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    File URL: http://hdl.handle.net/10.1093/geronb/gbx110
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Michelle I. Jongenelis & Liyuwork Mitiku Dana & Jeni Warburton & Ben Jackson & Robert U. Newton & Zenobia Talati & Simone Pettigrew, 2020. "Factors associated with formal volunteering among retirees," European Journal of Ageing, Springer, vol. 17(2), pages 229-239, June.
    2. 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.
    3. 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.
    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.
    5. Lee, Yeonjin & Jean Yeung, Wei-Jun, 2019. "Gender matters: Productive social engagement and the subsequent cognitive changes among older adults," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 229(C), pages 87-95.

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