A multi-variable model for explaining long-term commitment to volunteering among COVID-19 volunteers.

Area of Science:

• Social Psychology
• Volunteer Management
• Disaster Response

Background:

• Understanding long-term volunteer commitment is crucial, especially during crises like the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Existing research often examines commitment through social-structural or psychological lenses.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify variables explaining long-term commitment to volunteering during the initial COVID-19 pandemic wave in Israel.
• To test the predictive power of psychological characteristics and social-structural factors on volunteer commitment.

Main Methods:

• A quantitative study utilizing structured questionnaires.
• Sample of 504 Jewish volunteers (173 men, 331 women) in Israel.
• Data collected through nonprofit volunteer organizations.

Main Results:

• Psychological characteristics, including emotions and motives during the pandemic, were the strongest predictors of long-term commitment.
• Volunteer gender, education level, and prior volunteering during routine times also significantly contributed.
• Both stability, consistency, and intensity of volunteering over time were explained by these factors.

Conclusions:

• Psychological factors are paramount in sustaining volunteer commitment during emergencies.
• Volunteer organizations should prioritize cultivating motivated individuals and consider demographic and habitual factors.
• Strategies should aim to foster long-term volunteer engagement applicable to both crisis and routine periods.