Volunteer Satisfaction and Volunteer Action: A Functional Approach
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
1-2008
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
https://doi.org/10.2224/sbp.2008.36.1.9
Abstract
A functional approach to understanding the volunteer process was applied to 192 predominantly long-term hospice volunteers. The relationships among volunteer antecedents (motives), experiences (motive fulfillment, satisfaction), and outcomes (time spent volunteering, length of service) were examined. Participants reported greater satisfaction the more their experiences fulfilled their motivations for helping. Satisfaction also predicted time spent volunteering although not volunteer longevity. The amount of time volunteers devoted to the hospice and length of service were only weakly related to either motive or motive fulfillment. Results suggest that motivations for helping should be determined early in the volunteering process in order to match individuals with tasks they will find most rewarding. Less motivated or satisfied individuals may offer less time to the organization but remain volunteers in good standing for many years.
Was this content written or created while at USF?
Yes
Citation / Publisher Attribution
Social Behavior and Personality, v. 36, issue 1, p. 9-18.
Scholar Commons Citation
Finkelstein, Marcie, "Volunteer Satisfaction and Volunteer Action: A Functional Approach" (2008). Psychology Faculty Publications. 768.
https://digitalcommons.usf.edu/psy_facpub/768
