Underlying Motivations of Volunteering Across Life Stages: A Study of Volunteers in Nonprofit Organizations in Nevada

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

3-26-2017

Publication Title

Journal of Applied Gerontology

Volume

38

Issue

2

First page number:

207

Last page number:

231

Abstract

Volunteering is beneficial not only for individuals’ well-being but also for society’s well-being; yet only a fraction of U.S. citizens regularly engage in volunteer activities. This study examined how underlying motivations are associated with interest in volunteering for individuals in three major life phases: early, middle, and later adulthood. Data were collected from 1,046 adults who volunteered through nonprofit organizations in Nevada (USA). Exploratory factor analysis revealed that community service, career advancement, and well-being were common underlying motivations for individuals across life stages. However, generativity among the later adulthood group, and social networking among the early and middle adulthood groups were unique motivations for volunteering. Regression analysis showed that the community service motivation was significantly associated with individuals’ interest in volunteering among all life stages. Simultaneously, generativity for the later adulthood group, and career advancement for the early adulthood group were unique motivations linked to their actual interest in volunteering.

Keywords

Volunteerism; Civic engagement; Life course; Socioemotional selectivity theory; Generation

Disciplines

Gerontology

Language

English


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