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Warner LM, Jiang D, Yeung DYL, Choi NG, Ho RTH, Kwok JYY, Song Y, Chou KL. Study protocol of the 'HEAL-HOA' dual randomized controlled trial: Testing the effects of volunteering on loneliness, social, and mental health in older adults. Contemp Clin Trials Commun 2024; 38:101275. [PMID: 38435428 PMCID: PMC10904923 DOI: 10.1016/j.conctc.2024.101275] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2023] [Revised: 01/10/2024] [Accepted: 02/13/2024] [Indexed: 03/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Interventions to reduce loneliness in older adults usually do not show sustained effects. One potential way to combat loneliness is to offer meaningful social activities. Volunteering has been suggested as one such activity - however, its effects on loneliness remain to be tested in randomized controlled trials (RCT). Methods This planned Dual-RCT aims to recruit older adults experiencing loneliness, with subsequent randomization to either a volunteering condition (6 weeks of training before delivering one of three tele-based loneliness interventions to older intervention recipients twice a week for 6 months) or to an active control condition (psycho-education with social gatherings for six months). Power analyses require the recruitment of N = 256 older adults to detect differences between the volunteering and the active control condition (128 in each) on the primary outcome of loneliness (UCLA Loneliness Scale). Secondary outcomes comprise social network engagement, perceived social support, anxiety and depressive symptoms, self-rated health, cognitive health, perceived stress, sleep quality, and diurnal cortisol (1/3 of the sample). The main analyses will comprise condition (volunteering vs. no-volunteering) × time (baseline, 6-, 12-, 18-, 24-months follow-ups) interactions to test the effects of volunteering on loneliness and secondary outcomes. Effects are expected to be mediated via frequency, time and involvement in volunteering. Discussion If our trial can show that volunteers delivering one of the three telephone-based interventions to lonely intervention recipients benefit from volunteer work themselves, this might encourage more older adults to volunteer, helping to solve some of the societal issues involved with rapid demographic changes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa M. Warner
- Department of Psychology, MSB Medical School Berlin, Rüdesheimer Straße 50, 14197, Berlin, Germany
| | - Da Jiang
- The Education University of Hong Kong, 10 Lo Ping Rd, Tai Po, Hong Kong
| | - Dannii Yuen-lan Yeung
- Department of Social and Behavioural Sciences, City University of Hong Kong, Tat Chee Ave, Kowloon Tong, Hong Kong
| | - Namkee G. Choi
- Steve Hicks School of Social Work, University of Texas at Austin, 1925 San Jacinto Blvd, Austin, TX, USA
| | - Rainbow Tin Hung Ho
- Department of Social Work & Social Administration, Centre on Behavioral Health, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong
| | | | - Youqiang Song
- Department of Biochemistry, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong
| | - Kee-Lee Chou
- The Education University of Hong Kong, 10 Lo Ping Rd, Tai Po, Hong Kong
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FitzGerald J, Wells YD, Ellis JM. Psychosocial modification of general self-efficacy in older adults: A restricted review. Australas J Ageing 2022; 41:e210-e226. [PMID: 35235249 PMCID: PMC9545063 DOI: 10.1111/ajag.13052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2021] [Revised: 01/25/2022] [Accepted: 01/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES In recent years, the concept of general self-efficacy has increased in popularity. General self-efficacy is positively associated with quality of life and has the potential to act as a psychological buffer against adverse events and circumstances. However, due to the long-term influences that are said to shape general self-efficacy beliefs, they may be resistant to intervention, particularly within the older population. This restricted review aimed to explore whether psychosocial interventions could improve the general self-efficacy of older adults. Aspects of intervention design associated with improvements were also investigated. METHODS A restricted review was undertaken. This included a keyword search of four major health databases (PubMed, CINAHL, PsycINFO and AgeLine). Search terms focused on general self-efficacy and the commonly used measures of this concept and were limited to the older adult population. RESULTS In total, 848 articles were screened, with 20 studies proceeding to data extraction. The modification of general self-efficacy in older adults appears possible, with 7 out of the 20 included studies reporting improvements postintervention. Despite issues relating to the quality of included studies and the generalisability of their results, several aspects of intervention design coincided with intervention success, including intervention duration, and employing sufficiently-qualified staff. CONCLUSIONS Future research must address the generalisability issues identified in this review. Studies comparing the effectiveness of individual- and group-based interventions, the efficacy of remote delivery platforms and the possibility for long-term transfer of any improvements are needed to contribute the high-quality data required for policy and practice decisions in this area.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jarrah FitzGerald
- School of Nursing and Midwifery, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Yvonne D Wells
- Lincoln Centre for Research on Ageing, Australian Institute for Primary Care & Ageing, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Julie M Ellis
- School of Nursing and Midwifery, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
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Abstract
Abstract
Research on later-life generativity has promoted a new view of older persons that, far from the traditional images of disability, dependence and frailty, recognises their capacities, and potential to continue growing, while underlining their participation and contributions to families, communities and society. The goal of this study was to carry out a scoping review on later-life generativity, the first one conducted on this topic as far as we know, to show how studies in this area have evolved, which aspects of generativity in later life have been studied, and the methodological and epistemological approaches that are dominant in this area of inquiry. Our scoping review shows that research into generativity in later life has grown steadily over the past 30 years, and particularly during the last decade. However, our results also show how such growing interest has focused on certain methodological approaches, epistemological frameworks and cultural contexts. We identify four critical gaps and leading-edge research questions that should be at the forefront of future research into generativity in later life, gaps that reflect biases in the existing literature identified in the study. These are classified as methodological, developmental, contextual and ‘dark-side’ gaps.
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Fenn N, Reyes C, Monahan K, Robbins ML. How Ready Are Young Adults to Participate in Community Service? An Application of the Transtheoretical Model of Behavior Change. Am J Health Promot 2021; 36:64-72. [PMID: 34296641 DOI: 10.1177/08901171211034742] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Engaging in community service, or unpaid work intended to help people in a community, is generally associated with greater overall well-being. However, the process of beginning and maintaining community service engagement has been sparsely examined. The current study applied the Transtheoretical Model (TTM) of behavior change to understanding community service readiness among young adults. DESIGN Cross-sectional design using an online survey. SETTING Participants were undergraduate students recruited at a mid-sized Northeastern US university in Spring 2018. SAMPLE Participants (N = 314) had a mean age of 20.36 years (SD = 3.69), were primarily White (78%), female (72%), and from moderately high socioeconomic backgrounds (as measured by parental level of education). MEASURES Socio-demographics including age, gender, race-ethnicity, and parental level of education; readiness, pros, cons, and self-efficacy for community service; civic engagement behavior; well-being. ANALYSIS Participants were classified into very low (n = 62), low (n = 59), moderate (n = 92), high (n = 46), and very high (n = 55) readiness for community service groupings. A MANOVA was conducted to assess relationships between groupings and community service TTM constructs, civic engagement, and well-being. RESULTS There were significant differences between readiness groupings on all main outcome variables, F(20, 1012) = 10.34, p < .001; Wilks' Λ = 0.54, η2 = .14. Post-hoc Games-Howell tests showed that those exhibiting higher levels of readiness reported fewer cons, greater pros, higher self-efficacy, more overall civic engagement, and greater well-being compared to lower readiness individuals. CONCLUSION Consistent with previous TTM applications, self-efficacy and the importance of pros increased across readiness groupings while the importance of cons decreased. Study findings may be used to inform readiness-tailored interventional work for increasing community service. This area of study would benefit from longitudinal research examining community service readiness beyond the college environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalie Fenn
- Department of Psychology, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, RI, USA
| | - Cheyenne Reyes
- Department of Psychology, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, RI, USA
| | - Kathleen Monahan
- Department of Psychology, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, RI, USA
| | - Mark L Robbins
- Department of Psychology, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, RI, USA
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Jiang D, Warner LM, Chong AML, Li T, Wolff JK, Chou KL. Benefits of volunteering on psychological well-being in older adulthood: evidence from a randomized controlled trial. Aging Ment Health 2021; 25:641-649. [PMID: 31986905 DOI: 10.1080/13607863.2020.1711862] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
Objectives: Long-term volunteering has been associated with better physical, mental, and cognitive health in correlational studies. Few studies, however, have examined the longitudinal benefits of volunteering with randomized experimental designs (e.g., intervention studies). Even fewer studies have examined whether such benefits can be shown after short-term volunteering. To fill this gap, we conducted four 1-hour volunteering intervention sessions to promote volunteering among a group of older adults with limited volunteering experience and examined the impact of volunteering on depressive symptoms, meaning in life, general self-efficacy, and perceived autonomy.Methods: A total of 384 participants aged 50-96 years were assigned at random to either an intervention group to promote volunteering behaviors or an active control group to promote physical activity. The participants' monthly volunteering minutes, depressive symptoms, meaning in life, general self-efficacy and perceived autonomy were measured at baseline and six weeks, three months, and six months after the intervention.Results: Being in the volunteering intervention condition was not directly associated with depressive symptoms, meaning in life, general self-efficacy, or perceived autonomy at the 6-week, 3-month, or 6-month follow-ups after the intervention. However, there was an indirect effect of the intervention on depressive symptoms: participants in the intervention group, who had increased their volunteering at the 3-month follow-up, reported fewer depressive symptoms at the 6-month follow-up.Discussion: Our randomized controlled trial suggests that short-term volunteering does not reliably lead to short-term changes in psychosocial health measures as correlational studies would suggest. Efforts need to be made to encourage older adults to maintain long-term volunteering.
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Affiliation(s)
- Da Jiang
- Department of Special Education and Counselling, The Education University of Hong Kong, Tai Po, Hong Kong, China.,Integrated Centre for Wellbeing (I-WELL), The Education University of Hong Kong, Tai Po, Hong Kong, China.,Centre for Psychosocial Health, The Education University of Hong Kong, Tai Po, Hong Kong, China
| | - Lisa M Warner
- Department of Psychology, MSB Medical School Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Alice Ming-Lin Chong
- Department of Social and Behavioural Sciences, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon Tong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Tianyuan Li
- Centre for Psychosocial Health, The Education University of Hong Kong, Tai Po, Hong Kong, China.,Department of Psychology, The Education University of Hong Kong, Tai Po, Hong Kong, China
| | - Julia K Wolff
- Department of Psychology, Friedrich-Alexander-University (FAU) Erlangen-Nuremberg, Institute of Psychogerontology, Nuremberg, Germany
| | - Kee-Lee Chou
- Department of Asian and Policy Studies, The Education University of Hong Kong, Tai Po, Hong Kong, China
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Jiang D, Warner LM, Chong AML, Li T, Wolff JK, Chou KL. Promoting Volunteering Among Older Adults in Hong Kong: A Randomized Controlled Trial. THE GERONTOLOGIST 2020; 60:968-977. [PMID: 31228197 DOI: 10.1093/geront/gnz076] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2018] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Volunteering has consistently been associated with better mental, physical, and cognitive health in older adulthood. However, the volunteering rate of older adults in Hong Kong is much lower than in Western countries. Few studies have examined whether interventions can be effective in motivating older adults to volunteer in Hong Kong. To fill this gap, we conducted a randomized controlled trial to examine the impact of a theory-based social-cognitive intervention on volunteering. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS A total of 264 community-dwelling older adults in Hong Kong (Mage = 69.95 years, SDage = 6.90 years, 81.06% female) were randomly assigned to either an experimental group or an active control group. Participants in the experimental group received 4 weekly 1-hr face-to-face volunteering intervention sessions. Those in the active control group received parallel sessions targeting physical activity instead of volunteering. The time spent on volunteering per month was self-reported and measured at baseline, 6 weeks, 3 months, and 6 months after the intervention. Self-efficacy, intention, action planning, and self-monitoring of volunteering were measured as mediators. RESULTS Monthly volunteering minutes increased among participants in the experimental group when compared with the active control group at 6-week, 3-month, and 6-month follow-ups. Self-efficacy, intention, and action planning consistently mediated the effect of the intervention on volunteering minutes. DISCUSSION AND IMPLICATIONS The findings demonstrate the effectiveness of the intervention on volunteering behavior in older adults in Hong Kong through well-established behavior change techniques.
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Affiliation(s)
- Da Jiang
- Department of Special Education and Counselling, The Education University of Hong Kong, Tai Po, Hong Kong, China.,Integrated Centre for Wellbeing (I-WELL), The Education University of Hong Kong, Tai Po, Hong Kong, China.,Centre for Psychosocial Health, The Education University of Hong Kong, Tai Po, Hong Kong, China
| | - Lisa M Warner
- Department of Psychology, MSB Medical School Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Alice Ming-Lin Chong
- Department of Social and Behavioural Sciences, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon Tong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Tianyuan Li
- Centre for Psychosocial Health, The Education University of Hong Kong, Tai Po, Hong Kong, China.,Department of Psychology, The Education University of Hong Kong, Tai Po, Hong Kong, China
| | - Julia K Wolff
- Department of Psychology, Friedrich-Alexander-University (FAU) Erlangen-Nuremberg, Institute of Psychogerontology, Nuremberg, Germany
| | - Kee-Lee Chou
- Department of Asian and Policy Studies, The Education University of Hong Kong, Tai Po, Hong Kong, China
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