Study protocol of a multi-center RCT testing a social-cognitive intervention to promote volunteering in older adults against an active control

Warner LM, Jiang D, Chong AML, Li T, Wolff JK, Chou KL (2019)

Publication Type: Journal article

Publication year: 2019

Journal

BMC Geriatrics BMC

Book Volume: 19

Article Number: 1034

Journal Issue: 1

DOI: 10.1186/s12877-019-1034-1

Abstract

Background: Volunteering could be a win-win opportunity for older adults: Links between volunteering and societal improvements as well as older adults' own health and longevity are found in several observational studies. RCTs to increase volunteering in older adults are however sparse, leaving the question of causality unanswered. This study protocol describes a theory-based social-cognitive intervention with multiple behavior change techniques to increase volunteering among community-dwelling older adults in Hong Kong. Methods: In a parallel group, two-arm, randomized controlled trial, an initial N = 360 are assigned to receive either the volunteering intervention or the active control intervention (parallel content targeting physical activity). The primarily outcome measure is self-reported volunteering minutes per month at baseline, six weeks, three months and six months after the intervention. Participants in the treatment group are expected to increase their weekly volunteering minutes over time as compared to participants in the control group. Possible active ingredients of the intervention as well as mental and physical health outcomes of increased volunteering are investigated by means of mediation analyses. Discussion: Like many industrialized nations, Hong Kong faces a rapid demographic change. An effective psychological intervention to encourage retirees to engage in formal volunteering would alleviate some of the societal challenges a growing proportion of older adults entails.

Authors with CRIS profile

Julia Katharina Wolff Institut für Psychogerontologie

Involved external institutions

MSB Medical School Berlin – Hochschule für Gesundheit und Medizin DE Germany (DE) City University of Hong Kong (CityU) CN China (CN) The Education University of Hong Kong CN China (CN)

How to cite

APA:

Warner, L.M., Jiang, D., Chong, A.M.-L., Li, T., Wolff, J.K., & Chou, K.-L. (2019). Study protocol of a multi-center RCT testing a social-cognitive intervention to promote volunteering in older adults against an active control. BMC Geriatrics, 19(1). https://dx.doi.org/10.1186/s12877-019-1034-1

MLA:

Warner, Lisa M., et al. "Study protocol of a multi-center RCT testing a social-cognitive intervention to promote volunteering in older adults against an active control." BMC Geriatrics 19.1 (2019).

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