Individual value orientation, social norms, and volunteering outcomes in later life

Abstract

A growing body of scholarship examines the social and personal benefits of volunteering across the life course. However, less is known about how this experience of volunteering varies across different national contexts and how the impact of volunteering is shaped by micro- and macro-conditions. This article utilizes a cross-national multilevel regression analysis of European Values Survey data to explore the benefits of volunteering for two distinct sets of aging populations in the EU: those identified as “materialists” and “postmaterialists.” It finds that a positive association between volunteering and one key indicator of quality of life (“control over life”) generally exists for postmaterialists, while it is more positive in countries with stronger familial norms among materialists. Hence, the role of volunteering in later life is not as uniform as suggested by the active aging approach.

Personal values in the perceptions of volunteer activities among university students

“…Отмечаются эффекты волонтерства, направленные на самого субъекта волонтерской деятельности. Субъект волонтерской деятельности испытывает позитивное влияние, состоящее в повышении субъективного благополучия, самооценки (M. Lakomэ [31], N. Morrow-Howell et al [32], D. Gray, C. Stevenson [33]). В некоторых исследованиях проблема ценностей связывается с проблемой субъективного благополучия.…”

“…Семантические маркеры ценностей в классификации С. Шварца Trouble (1), Unemployment (1), Helplessness (1), Invest (1), Auxiliary (2), Help out (11), Give (1), Present (6), Deliver (1), Pity (1 ), Life (1), Care (8), Take care (5), Caring (7), Spend (1), Protect (8), Protecting (1), Health (1), Inform (1), Search (5), Research (1), Consult (1), Supervise (1), Find (1), Protect (3), Protecting (1), Guide (2), Answer (1), Give ( 11), Respond (2), Responsiveness (8), Responsive (13), Translate (1), Overexpose (1), Support (20), Support (2), Supporting (18) Altruism (2), Altruist (1), Altruistic (2), Gratuitous assistance (7), Gratuitous. (31), Trouble-Free (1), Selfless activity (1), Selfless (30), Free (12), Gratuitous (1), Benefactor (3), Charity (8), Volunteer. (15), Voluntary activities (1), Voluntary assistance (1), Volunteering (1), Voluntary participation (1), Voluntary (46), Exuberance (1), Volunteering (1), Voluntary work (7), Goodness (1), Necessity (1), Necessary (5), Optional (2), Non-Coercive (1), Need (2), Need (1), Need (8), Voluntary (1), Understanding (2), Understand (3), Understanding (8), Benefit (2), Useful.…”