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Cited by 83

Volunteering in the Community: Potential Benefits for Cognitive Aging

Guiney, Hayley, Machado, Liana·2018·The Journals of Gerontology: Series B
DOI 10.1093/geronb/gbx134
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Abstract

Objectives This 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. Method This 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. Results On 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. Discussion To 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.

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Crossref · 10.1093/geronb/gbx134

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  • More recent studies report associations between volunteering and lower depression and loneliness, particularly among older adults, alongside stronger perceived purpose and social integration.

    “More recent studies report associations with lower levels of depression and loneliness, particularly among older adults, alongside stronger perceived purpose and social integration (25, 26).”

    From Volunteerism as a multidimensional form of human prosocial engagement (2026) · cites this paper as [26]

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Authors
Guiney, H., & Machado, L.
Affiliations
Department of Psychology and Brain Health Research Centre, University of Otago and Brain Research New Zealand, Dunedin
ORCID
Guiney, Hayley
Venue
The Journals of Gerontology: Series B
Publisher
Oxford University Press (OUP)
Published
2017-11-17
Volume
73
Issue
3
Pages
399-408
ISSN
  • 1079-5014
  • 1758-5368
DOI
10.1093/geronb/gbx134
Cited by
83
References
6
Language
en
Funders
Brain Research New Zealand

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