Search Results (41)

The digital transformation of civic life has created new opportunities for older adults to engage in virtual volunteer activities. However, their participation still remains limited. This study investigates the factors that influence older adults’ interest in virtual volunteering. It integrated theoretical framework combining the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM), Self-Efficacy, and Digital Divide Theories to examine the drivers of virtual volunteerism interest among this target population. This study presents ordered logistic regression models with data on 814 adult volunteers in multiple imputation procedures. The final reduced model identifies two key predictors: a preference for virtual activities and interest in technology training, respectively, representing TAM and the Digital Divide Theory. While the self-efficacy-related variable showed statistical significance in earlier models, its explanatory power diminished when controlling for other factors. The findings indicate that older adults’ interest in virtual volunteering is primarily shaped by perceived usefulness of digital tools and their willingness to improve technical competence. This study confirms the relevance of the TAM and Digital Divide theories regarding virtual volunteerism. In practical terms, the findings indicate that program design should combine usability-focused platform features and targeted support that lower both technological and motivational barriers for older adults interested in virtual volunteering. Full article

Young people have a desire to meaningfully contribute to their communities and create lasting impact. While youth service programs aim to support this goal, research often emphasizes youth development over social and environmental outcomes. This study addresses this gap by analyzing six youth service programs run by three national Canadian non-profits. Using a youth-led social framework, we examine the impact strategies young participants employed to implement service projects. Our findings highlight how youth use diverse strategies to achieve social and environmental outcomes, and we propose adjustments to the existing framework to better capture youth contributions. This research broadens the understanding of youth impact, emphasizing that young people are not only beneficiaries of service but also agents of meaningful change. Full article

This study uses a nationally representative longitudinal dataset in the US to examine the long-term association of volunteering for environmental, recycling, and conservation groups with a person’s (a) willingness to continue to volunteer later in life and (b) several measures of their mental and physical well-being including perceived social status, optimism, psychological stress, suicidal thoughts and attempts, depressive symptoms and general self-reported physical health. By using Add Health data, we match responses to an environmental volunteerism question in Wave III (2002) with subjective well-being responses in Wave V (2016–2018) to examine the long-term association between these variables. After excluding missing responses, the analysis sample consists of 9800 individuals. After using linear survey regression analyses and several techniques based on propensity scores (stratification, weighting, matching) two key results emerged: first, being involved in environmental groups and organizations early in life showed a significant positive association with more hours spent on volunteering or community service work later in life; and second, people who volunteer in early adulthood are more optimistic, more sociable, have a higher perceived social status, display less stress and depressive symptoms. Full article

Promoting sustainability in higher education is a social and environmental imperative. This paper explores how and why volunteering at a campus community garden (CCG) can serve as a unique context for promoting sustainability. Twenty-five undergraduate students between the ages of 18 and 27, who had volunteered at a campus garden, participated in individual semi-structured interviews. A majority of participants identified as female (80%) and Asian American (52%). Using reflexive thematic analysis, we first found students were motivated to volunteer for personal and academic reasons as well as to learn more about gardening. Childhood gardening experiences influenced participants’ re-engagement as adults. Second, building social connections and spending time in nature, especially when living in an urban area, sustained students’ engagement in the garden, whereas time constraints and physical tasks made it challenging to volunteer. Finally, the findings suggest that volunteering promoted pro-environmental behaviors. Students felt that their volunteer work allowed them to make a positive environmental impact. Participants also gained new environmental knowledge and skills, which encouraged them to adopt environmentally friendly lifestyle changes, advocate for environmental and social justice issues, and reflect on how they might integrate pro-environmental behaviors into their future careers. Full article

Urban agriculture is key to sustainable city development, particularly through public engagement with the Water–Energy–Land–Food–People (WELFP) Nexus. This study examines the effectiveness of serious games in enhancing WELFP understanding and promoting pro-environmental and pro-social behaviors. A game-based learning model was developed using the Stimulus–Organism–Response (SOR) and Easy–Attractive–Social–Timely (EAST) frameworks, along with the Revised New Ecological Paradigm (NEP) Scale. The model simulates real-world urban agriculture challenges to foster participatory decision-making. A survey of 200 urban agriculture practitioners, analyzed via structural equation modeling (SmartPLS 4.0), found that perceived timeliness (PT) and perceived usefulness (PU) significantly influenced both the perceived sustainable livelihood value (PT: p = 0.000; PU: p = 0.006) and users’ attitudes toward the game (PT: p = 0.000; PU: p = 0.038). While enjoyment positively affected attitude (p = 0.002), it negatively impacted perceived value (p = 0.002), revealing a trade-off between fun and practical relevance. Perceived ease of use improved perceived value (p = 0.000) but did not affect attitude, suggesting emotional engagement matters more. Both attitude and perceived value strongly predicted users’ intention to engage with the game. Post-game reflections highlighted the need for cross-sector collaboration, strategic resource use, access to real-time data, and responsive crisis management. Participants also stressed the importance of public awareness, civic responsibility, and volunteerism in advancing community-driven sustainable agriculture. These findings highlight the need to balance engagement and educational depth in game-based learning for sustainability. Full article

Background: Citizenship plays a fundamental role in the management of socio-natural disaster risk, especially given the increasing impact and frequency of these events. In this context, disaster response is marked by both formal and spontaneous volunteerism. Method: Using a non-probabilistic sample of 101 volunteers and comparing the social representation of formal volunteers with spontaneous volunteers, prototypical and categorical analyses of social representations were conducted. Results: Differences were identified between formal volunteers, whose social representation reflects a strong value-oriented and collaborative vision focused on social capital, and spontaneous volunteers, whose social representation is directed toward prosocial values, emotions, and the heroic actions associated with volunteerism. Conclusions: New avenues are proposed for exercising and strengthening formal volunteerism, accompanied by processes that enable the identification of common value axes and suitability for risk-related work. Additionally, the motivations and actions of spontaneous volunteers are discussed. Finally, sustained coordination is proposed among institutions involved in risk management, formal volunteers, and spontaneous volunteers to optimize human resource management in emergencies. Full article

This article examines the processes of governmentalization and marketization in enabling the development of civil society organizations within different welfare systems. It also attempts to explain how these processes impact volunteerism, distinguishing the service from the expressive roles of the civil society sector. Theoretical findings are tested and illustrated using data from the Johns Hopkins Comparative Nonprofit Sector Project. Further, data for Slovenia are included as an example of a distinct post-socialist welfare system. The data were collected from a representative sample of Slovenian civil society organizations based on the methodology of the Johns Hopkins Comparative Nonprofit Sector Project. As revealed, in line with institutionalist theories, different welfare systems show path dependency by determining the basis and level of the professionalization of the civil society sector, influencing the approaches of governmentalization and marketization, and indirectly changing the role of volunteerism. Full article

Urologic healthcare in low- and middle-income countries is recognized to be underserved. The goal to improve urologic health outcomes for populations in these countries may be met through urologic humanitarian work, often brought about by aid workers with clinical expertise originating from high-income countries. This essay serves as a brief narrative review of the literature describing urologic outreach efforts brought to low- and middle-income countries and perspective on the purpose of these efforts. A range of urology-specific organizations are engaged in international volunteerism efforts. The foundation of this activity, to the greatest extent, can be characterized as international collaboration involving healthcare providers of the local region of service. Service activities include not just medical or surgical missions but span from clinical workshops to educational programming, faculty training programs, research enterprises and health care system initiatives. Whereas challenges confront aid workers primarily relating to difficult resources, there are definite rewards for humanitarian work. These rewards are not viewed only as a one-way proposition benefitting the local region receiving health care. Visiting aid workers also prosper by way of life lessons in service and humanity and an appreciation of health equity in a worldwide sense. Full article

In developed countries, large amounts of edible food are wasted at the household level, with significant negative environmental impacts. Therefore, reducing food waste is included in the UN Sustainable Development Goals. In different countries, several food-sharing initiatives have emerged to recover and redistribute surplus food. Recently, a Café concept was established offering such “rescued” food free of charge in publicly accessible locations, often complemented by beverages. Based on web research and semi-structured interviews, the current study analyzed the mission, vision, and activities of these Cafés and the main motivations of volunteers and employees. In addition to other food-sharing initiatives’ goals of raising public awareness about food waste, increasing the appreciation of food, and sharing surpluses, they seek to contribute to increased sustainability by educating citizens and sharing knowledge and skills to reduce household food waste. The Cafés also seek to offer inclusive community spaces and promote the values of solidarity and sustainability. Interviewees’ motivations match the Cafés’ missions, and many seek to achieve broader system change. Furthermore, they value the feeling of community and shared purpose through their engagement. The Cafés’ focus on education and skill building is likely to better serve the goal of reducing food waste than prior initiatives. Full article

Cognitive frailty, which is characterized by the co-occurrence of physical frailty and cognitive impairment, poses significant risks to the well-being and independence of elderly individuals. Previous research has established that demographic, health-related, and social factors contribute to both physical frailty and cognitive decline. However, the role of social factors in influencing cognitive frailty remains unclear. This study aims to identify the relationship between social factors and cognitive frailty among Korean older adults living in the community. We performed secondary analyses of data from the 2020 Survey on Older Adults. After entering demographic factors and health-related factors into the logistic model as covariates, this study explored the association between cognitive frailty and social factors, including living arrangements, social support, the frequency of engagement in social activities per week, and satisfaction with friends and community. Among participants, approximately 2.9% had cognitive frailty, 3.2% had only physical frailty, and 21.9% had only cognitive decline. Lower levels of satisfaction with friends and the community and infrequent participation in social activities were strongly correlated with cognitive frailty. These findings emphasize the necessity of public health programs that encourage older individuals’ social involvement. A supportive social environment can be fostered through initiatives that promote community events, group activities, and volunteerism. Public health policies should prioritize the development and maintenance of social activity centers that offer various programs to prevent progression to cognitive frailty in older adults. Full article

In recent times, research has focused on positive youth development (PYD) amidst the deficits of youth. However, little is known about PYD and its potential to predict social engagement. Thus, this study aimed to examine the presence of the 5Cs of PYD (competence, confidence, connection, character, and caring) and its difference in gender and prediction to contribution, specifically social engagement among family, peers, schools, and community. The sample size consisted of Nigerian youth in University (N = 394, M_age = 18.42, SD = 1.02). The PYD framework served as the theoretical perspective underpinning the study. Questionnaires were administered using the 5Cs model of PYD and contribution items. Data were analysed for descriptive, correlations, and hierarchical regression to examine the predictors of contribution while controlling for demographics. The results showed greater scores in competence, connection, and character for women. Competence and connection (β = 0.56, p < 0.05) specifically had significantly independent associations with community volunteerism. While the findings highlight the Cs experienced and predictive values among each variable in the Nigerian context, future research could consider how each domain of the 5Cs holistically promotes contribution equally in males and females among diverse Nigerian youth. The research has implications for research, policy, and practice. Full article

Cities will face increasing challenges due to the impacts of global climate change, particularly in the form of cyclonic events, necessitating a deeper understanding and the establishment of effective response mechanisms at both institutional and citizen levels. In this research, we tested the efficiency of crowdsourcing in fostering participatory resilience and improving urban management. The main aim was to design novel and accurate proactive response strategies and mitigate the adverse effects of cyclonic wind events through volunteerism, citizen science, and urban science. To achieve this goal, as a case study, the municipality of Soledad, Colombia was used. This research employed a two-phase methodological approach: (i) initially evaluating the spatial distribution of emergency response resources, and (ii) developing a geo-referenced survey to map, systematize, and categorize data and outcomes. A total of three hundred and seventy-eight residents across five neighborhoods in Soledad, which have experienced a high frequency of atmospheric wind phenomena over the past two decades, were surveyed. The results indicate that the crowdsourcing mechanism effectively enhanced the empirical understanding of atmospheric wind events in Soledad, facilitating the establishment of a geo-referenced volunteer network for real-time responses. Additionally, this study shed light on previously undocumented challenges, in terms of reducing the number of people affected, and the actions that would lead to improved urban development to reduce the impacts of cyclonic events, emphasizing the significance of citizen science in the social construction of risk and disaster risk reduction (DDR) efforts. Full article

This study examines the effect of volunteering within a Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International (PATH Intl) premiere accredited center by exploring the experiences of volunteers leading horses in adaptive riding lessons. Adaptive Riding lessons are horseback riding lessons for individuals ages four through the lifespan, with special needs, varying from cognitive, physical, social-emotional, or other challenges. Volunteers directly impact the rider-horse bond by increasing accessibility to horseback riding for individuals with disabilities, fostering a meaningful bond between the rider and horse. The research questions were as follows: (1) do saliva measures of cortisol and alpha-amylase (stress), and oxytocin (affiliative bonding) change over time for volunteers; and (2) how satisfied are volunteers with volunteering for Equine Assisted Services (EAS)? Forty-one volunteers participated in Reining in Anxiety, an intervention combining adaptive riding and cognitive behavioral therapy. Physiological data (i.e., pooled saliva, saliva combined from various glands throughout the mouth, resting under the tongue prior to collection) were collected pre/post riding session at four time points during the 10-session intervention, measuring oxytocin, cortisol, and alpha-amylase. Post-intervention, volunteers completed a survey about their experiences as volunteers and as participants in the study. All saliva samples were collected successfully. There was a non-significant, positive trend in oxytocin and alpha-amylase, while cortisol remained level. The responses in the survey suggested that volunteers perceive their role positively, with nuanced experiences of a sense of responsibility to ensure safety, and enjoyment in assisting the riders. Volunteers are vital to the safety of the rider and horse. While their perceived and internalized responsibility is evidenced by an increase in stress (e.g., cortisol remaining level and an increase in alpha-amylase), it is not necessarily negative stress, as there is simultaneously affiliative bonding expressed (oxytocin). The complex emotions and experiences of volunteers are important to understand to create meaningful, sustainable volunteer engagement. This is particularly important in the EAS industry, which is reliant on volunteerism. Full article

Since the outbreak of COVID-19, working from home has become the norm for millions of workers worldwide. The purpose of this research was to analyze the benefits and challenges of teleworking in the administrative sectors (except Telehealth Services) of Greek healthcare units with a view to harnessing the knowledge gained through experience, in order to create a frame for sustainable behaviors. Complex and dynamic changes, from both a technical and behavioral aspect, are required to implement teleworking. Therefore, a systematic literature review (SLR) as well as primary quantitative research were used as research methods. The purpose of the SLR was to identify the existing scientific literature. Then, combined with the results of the quantitative research, the data were analyzed, described, and interpreted, and then summarized in the conclusion. In addition, the research was conducted to identify the relationships between telecommuting and organizational behavior, in order to achieve sustainable development in businesses. Moreover, an important positive aspect of telework that emerged from this literature review is the creation of opportunities for potential direct or indirect linkages between telework and many sustainable development goals (SDGs), based on the fact that telework appears to be a community-friendly form of work. In summary, this research strongly suggests that leaders facilitate telecommuters to adopt green practices and volunteerism that can consequently contribute to the SDGs. However, in order to meet the challenges arising from unprecedented times, the leaders of the organizations should redesign their policies, while governments should focus on guaranteeing the rights and freedoms of the workers. Full article

Despite strong policy support for volunteerism, Chinese social service organizations require assistance in volunteer management, particularly concerning retaining volunteers and sustaining the supply of volunteer services. By interviewing volunteers from a successful volunteer organization and analyzing the collected data using the constructive grounded theories and methods, this study found that, contrary to the conclusions of previous studies, (1) sustainable volunteerism involves volunteers’ ability, motivation, and resources; (2) the ideal framework for the sustainability of volunteer service provision is based on a triangular support model of “individual-organization social interaction”; and (3) social interaction manifests itself in three network effects (emotional, family, and social). In particular, our analysis found that interpersonal relationships, intergenerational relationships, and parent–child education are essential to sustaining the supply of volunteer services. Full article