Volunteering as a Modifiable Determinant of Depression in Older Adults: Comments on the LongROAD Study

We read with great interest the article by Xi and colleagues, “Prevalence of Depression in Older Adults and the Potential Protective Role of Volunteering: Findings From the LongROAD Study,” recently published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society [1]. The authors found that 6.2% of community-dwelling older adults aged 65–79 years had depression and that volunteering was associated with significantly reduced odds of depression (adjusted OR: 0.57; 95% CI: 0.40–0.81).

We commend the authors for identifying volunteering as a potentially modifiable protective factor. However, we would like to offer several points to further contextualize their findings.

The cross-sectional design limits causal interpretation. Longitudinal studies are needed to distinguish whether volunteering actively reduces depression or whether individuals with better mental health are more inclined to volunteer [2].

Secondly, the mediating mechanisms through which volunteering impacts mental health—such as social connectedness, role identity, and cognitive engagement—were not explored and deserve further investigation [3, 4].

Disparities in access to volunteering opportunities across sociodemographic groups (e.g., income, education) may confound these associations. Prior research suggests selection processes significantly influence both volunteering behaviors and their mental health outcomes [5].

Finally, while the PROMIS Depression scale is valid, incorporating geriatric-specific instruments such as the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS) would enhance sensitivity in older populations [6].

In summary, this study highlights a promising avenue for psychosocial intervention in aging populations. We support further longitudinal and mechanistic work to better understand how volunteerism can be leveraged as a strategy to reduce late-life depression.

The author is solely responsible for the conception, drafting, and revision of this letter.

The author has nothing to report.

The author declares no conflicts of interest.