Longitudinal Associations Between Formal Volunteering and Cognitive Functioning

Christine M. Proulx · Angela L. Curl · Ashley E. Ermer

108 citations0/0 files storedThe Journals of Gerontology Series B

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Aging and Gerontology Research Dementia and Cognitive Impairment Research Nonprofit Sector and Volunteering

Abstract

Objectives: The 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. Method: Using 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. Results: Formal 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. Discussion: Volunteering 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.

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References

1977The CES-D Scale 1998Successful Aging 2014How Does it STAC Up? Revisiting the Scaffolding Theory of Aging and Cognition 1996Successful Aging: Predictors and Associated Activities 2013The Impact of Sustained Engagement on Cognitive Function in Older Adults 2008Productive Activities and Psychological Well-Being Among Older Adults

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2018Gender matters: Productive social engagement and the subsequent cognitive changes among older adults 2019Working Memory Capacity as a Predictor of Cognitive Training Efficacy in the Elderly Population 2021Longitudinal associations between formal volunteering and well-being among retired older people: follow-up results from a randomized controlled trial 2023Prolonged social isolation and cognitive function in older adults: lack of informal social contact versus formal social activity as the source of social isolation 2021Multifaceted Demands of Work and Cognitive Functioning: Findings From the Health and Retirement Study 2020Volunteering in older adulthood is associated with activity engagement and cognitive functioning

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