Identifying volunteer groups based on motivational patterns using latent class analysis

Area of Science:

• Social Psychology
• Sociology
• Volunteer Studies

Background:

• Volunteers contribute significantly to communities and social cohesion.
• Self-Determination Theory posits volunteer motivation ranges from controlled to autonomous.
• Limited research exists on whether volunteer motivation profiles are distinct types or differ in intensity.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify fundamental motivational groupings among volunteers.
• To analyze sociodemographic factors associated with volunteer motivation profiles.
• To investigate the nature of volunteer motivation using cross-national data.

Main Methods:

• Latent Class Analysis (LCA) was used to identify motivational classes.
• Data from 2,605 respondents in the World Values Survey (1982-2022) were analyzed.
• Multinomial logistic regression examined associations between motivation classes and sociodemographics.

Main Results:

• A three-class model revealed differences in motivational intensity: low (31.2%), moderate (32.1%), and high (36.7%).
• Response patterns across various motivation types (altruistic, moral, social, religious, self-oriented) were parallel, indicating quantitative rather than qualitative distinctions.
• Older adults and women were less likely to be in the low-motivation group, while higher education correlated with a higher likelihood of low motivation.

Conclusions:

• Volunteer motivation is primarily characterized by intensity, suggesting a continuum of engagement rather than distinct profiles.
• Volunteer policies should recognize varying motivational strengths to foster deeper engagement.
• Sociodemographic and cultural factors are crucial for designing inclusive and effective volunteering initiatives.