Objective:
To assess the effects of structured social volunteering over 12 months on loneliness among older adults during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Study Design:
- Type: Dual randomized controlled trial
- Location: Hong Kong
- Participants: 375 older adults (22% male, 78% female)
- Eligibility:
- Aged 50–70 years
- Lonely (UCLA Loneliness Scale score ≥6)
- No severe physical, mental, or cognitive health issues
- Not employed full/part-time, limited prior volunteering experience
- Intervention:
- Volunteering Group (n=185): Delivered 6 months of telephone-based psychosocial interventions after training
- Control Group (n=190): Psychoeducation program
- Primary Outcome:
- Change in loneliness measured by UCLA Loneliness Scale & De Jong Gierveld (DJG) Loneliness Scales at 6 months (T2) and 12 months (T3)
Findings:
📉 Volunteering significantly reduced loneliness at 6 months (T2) compared to control:
- UCLA Loneliness Scale: dppc2 = –0.41, p = 0.00058
- DJG Total Score: dppc2 = –0.70, p < 0.0001
- DJG Emotional Subscale: dppc2 = –0.59, p < 0.0001
- DJG Social Subscale: dppc2 = –0.58, p < 0.0001
⚠️ Most benefits were not sustained at 12 months (T3), except for those who continued volunteering ≥2 hours per week.
Conclusion:
Volunteering reduces loneliness in older adults, but sustained participation is key to maintaining benefits. Future programs should encourage long-term commitment to volunteer work for lasting impact.