Exploring the relationship of cognitive and physical health with volunteering among community dwelling elderly

Abdoli, Fatemeh; Rezaee, Mehdi; Pashmdarfard, Marzieh; Loabichian, Maedeh

doi:10.1590/2526-8910.ctoAO406939782

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Original Article • Cad. Bras. Ter. Ocup. 33 • 2025 • https://doi.org/10.1590/2526-8910.ctoAO406939782 linkcopy

Exploring the relationship of cognitive and physical health with volunteering among community dwelling elderly

Explorando a relação entre saúde cognitiva e física com o voluntariado entre idosos que vivem na comunidade

Authorship SCIMAGO INSTITUTIONS RANKINGS

Abstract

Introduction The increasing population of older people globally causes specific problems for both individuals and society. While reduced cognitive function and reduced physical fitness are related to aging, some older adults have non-pronounced disabilities and inevitably have much spare time affording them to engage in a variety of activities like volunteering which benefits them and their community.

Objective The present study aimed to explore the relationship between cognitive and physical health to volunteering among community dwelling retired individuals in Iran.

Method In this cross-sectional study, 296 retired community dwelling older adults over age 60 were selected as multi-step convenience sampling method and filled out the questionnaires voluntarily. The Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) was used to assess cognitive function, and the Short-Form 36 (SF36) Health Survey and the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ) were completed by the participants to assess their physical fitness and their mental health status. The demographic information was also assessed using the Demographic Information Questionnaire.

Results The study results indicated that the older adults who have better cognitive function (r=0.367, P<0.001, U=0.6316) and physical fitness (r=0.189, P=0.001, 2.8582) participate more in volunteering.

Conclusion Participation in volunteering is directly and significantly related to the cognitive functioning, physical fitness, and quality of life of selected older people in Iran. Volunteering is inversely related to anxiety and insomnia, depression, and social dysfunction among these selected retired Iranians.

Keywords:
Volunteers; Community Integration; Senior Centers; Cognitive Function; Physical Fitness

Variable	Participation in Volunteering		2 χ Test Statistic	P-Value
Variable	No (N=149)	Yes (N=147)	2 χ Test Statistic	P-Value
Age (year)			1.61	0.204
60-75	116 (77.9)	123 (83.7)
<75	33 (22.1)	24 (16.3)
Gender			14.88	>0.001
Male	73 (49.0)	40 (27.2)
Female	76 (51.0)	107 (72.8)
Education level			24.86	>0.001
Illiterate	27 (18.1)	7 (4.8)
Under diploma	70 (47.0)	51 (348.7)
Diploma	27 (18.1)	41 (27.9)
University	25 (16.8)	48 (32.7)
Cigarette use			2.00	0.157
No	143 (96.0)	145 (98.6)
Yes	6 (4.0)	2 (1.4)
Taking medicines			2.01	0.156
No	77 (51.7)	88 (59.9)	2.01	0.156
Yes	72 (48.3)	59 (40.1)
Length of dwelling in Tehran			0.13	0.720
Less than 15 years	4 (2.7)	5 (3.4)
More than 15 years	145 (97.3)	142 (96.6)
Dwelling in the district			0.06	0.801
15 years and less	27 (18.1)	25 (17.0)
More than 15 years	122 (81.9)	122 (83.0)

Variable	Simple Logistic Regression		Multiple Logistic Regression
Variable	OR (95% CI)	P-value	aOR (95% CI)	P-value
Age (year)
60-75	1 (reference)		1 (reference)
<75	0.69 (0.38-1.23)	0.206	1.36 (0.86-2.75)	0.386
Gender
Male	1 (reference)		1 (reference)
Female	2.57 (1.58-4.17)	>0.001	6.14 (2.46-15.31)	>0.001
Education level
Illiterate	1 (reference)		1 (reference)
Under diploma	2.81 (1.14-6.96)	0.025	2.29 (0.86-6.12)	0.099
Diploma	5.86 (2.24-15.34)	>0.001	4.54 (1.58-13.03)	0.005
University	7.41 (2.83-19.37)	>0.001	7.38 (2.41-22.59)	>0.001
Cigarette use
No	1 (reference)		1 (reference)
Yes	0.33 (0.07-1.66)	0.177	0.33 (0.06-1.83)	0.205
Taking medicines
No	1 (reference)		1 (reference)
Yes	0.72 (0.45-1.14)	0.157	0.73 (0.43-1.25)	0.253
Duration of dwelling in Tehran
Less than 15 years	1 (reference)		1 (reference)
More than 15 years	0.78 (0.21-2.98)	0.720	0.82 (0.13-5.02)	0.832
Dwelling in the district
15 years and less	1 (reference)		1 (reference)
More than 15 years	1.08 (0.59-1.97)	0.801	1.09 (0.52-2.29)	0.814

			Participation in Volunteering		U Statistic	P^†	Effect Size (r)
			No	Yes	U Statistic	P^†	Effect Size (r)
MoCA					0.6316	>0.001	0.367
		Mean (SD)	20.2 (5.2)	23.8 (5.2)
		(Interquartile range) median	(17-24) 21	(21-27) 25
GHQ-28	The physical symptoms subscale				5.8777	0.003	0.173
		mean(SD)	4.79 (3.56)	3.57 (2.87)
		(Interquartile range) median	(2-7) 4	(1-5) 3
	The anxiety and insomnia subscale				5.9148	0.014	0.143
		mean (SD)	5.89 (4.49)	4.53 (3.59)
		(Interquartile range) median	(2-8.5) 5	(2-7) 4
	The social dysfunction subscale				5.7532	>0.001	0.311
		mean (SD)	8.09 (2.01)	7.08 (1.27)
		(Interquartile range) median	(7-8) 7	(7-7) 7
	The depression subscale				5.8625	>0.001	0.219
		mean (SD)	1.91 (3.09)	0.54 (1.28)
		(Interquartile range) median	(0-3) 0	(0-1) 0
	The GHQ-28 total score				0.7908	>0.001	0.241
		mean (SD)	20.64 (10.80)	15.75 (7.04)
		(Interquartile range) median	(13-26.5) 17	(11-19) 14
SF-36	Physical functioning				5.8582	0.001	0.189
		mean (SD)	78.9 (20.6)	85.8 (15.0)
		(Interquartile range) median	(70-95) 85	(80-95) 90
	Role limitations due to physical fitness status				0.8358	>0.001	0.218
		mean (SD)	45.0 (42.5)	27.0 (36.6)
		(Interquartile range) median	(0-100) 25	(0-50) 0
	Role limitations due to emotional problems				5.9126	0.006	0.161
		mean (SD)	38.6 (44.0)	24.5 (37.5)
		(Interquartile range) median	(0-100) 0	(0-33.3) 0
	Energy and vitality				0.8870	0.005	0.165
		mean (SD)	63.5 (22.0)	71.4 (15.3)
		(Interquartile range) median	(50-8-) 65	(60-80) 70
	Emotional fitness				5.9396	0.034	0.123
		mean (SD)	68.5 (20.2)	74.6 (14.4)
		(Interquartile range) median	(56-84) 72	(68-84) 76
	Social functioning				5.8571	>0.001	0.239
		mean (SD)	86.6 (21.0)	95.0 (13.0)
		(Interquartile range) median	(75-100) 100	(100-100) 100
	Pain				0.9094	0.009	0.153
		mean (SD)	70.1 (31.5)	80.4 (24.6)
		(Interquartile range) median	(47.5-100) 80	(67.5-100) 90
	General health				0.9562	0.058	0.110
		mean (SD)	61.8 (22.7)	67.0 (21.6)
		(Interquartile range) median	(50-80) 65	(50-85) 70

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[1] Note. Values are shown as “(percentage) frequency.