Volunteering and Health Study: Does volunteering in the community benefit older adults' cognitive functioning?

INTERVENTION: The trial will be conducted in Dunedin, New Zealand. Participants in the intervention group will be asked to: 1. Register with a local volunteering agency within 3 weeks of their baseline testing session. The researcher will provide specific details on how to do so via a 10‐minute consultation at the end of the baseline testing session. During that consultation, the researcher will provide and talk through a booklet listing all relevant volunteering organisations, the types of volunteering they offer, and their contact details. 2. Engage in at least 2 hours of formal volunteering each week for 6 months. Formal volunteering is defined as unpaid, non‐compulsory work that is done through an organisation, and for the benefit of people outside the participant’s household. It does not include caregiving for friends or family members (International Labour Organization, 2011). Aside from that definition, there are no restrictions on the type of volunteering participants can engage in. 3. Self‐manage their engagement in volunteering (with the help of the organisation they've signed up with) and record their volunteering hours and type via self‐complete weekly diaries. CONDITION: Cognitive functioning PRIMARY OUTCOME: Global cognitive functioning, as assessed by scores on the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MOCA; Nasreddine et al., 2005). ; Inhibitory control, as assessed by performance on three computer‐based reaction time tests (Flanker arrows, Simon, and Anti keypress). Standardised z‐scores will be calculated for each test and then averaged to create a composite measure of inhibitory control. Task switching ability, as assessed by performance on a computer‐based reaction time task (Pro/Anti keypress). SECONDARY OUTCOME: Depressive symptoms, as assessed by scores on the Centre for Epidemiologic Studies Depression scale (Radloff, 1977). ; Quality of Life, as assessed by the Older People's Quality of Life Scale ‐ Brief Version (Bowling et al., 2013). Self esteem, as assessed by scores on the Rosenberg Self Esteem Scale (Rosenberg, 1965). Working memory, as assessed by performance on a computer‐based reaction time task (2‐back continuous performance task). ; ; Note: This is a primary outcome INCLUSION CRITERIA: 1. Aged between 65 and 75 years 2. Retired (not in part‐ or full‐time paid employment) for at least 6 months 3. Have volunteered less often than once a month in the past year