WHAT MOTIVATES PEOPLE TO
ENGAGE IN VOLUNTEER WORK
Qualitative research study completed for the partial fulfilment of a
BA Honours in Counselling Psychology at the University of South
Africa
Pakeezah Rajab
,Contents
Literature Review.................................................................................................................... 3
Research Rationale................................................................................................................ 7
Aims of the Research.............................................................................................................8
Methodology........................................................................................................................... 9
Research Design................................................................................................................9
Participants....................................................................................................................... 10
The Interviews................................................................................................................... 13
Data Analysis.................................................................................................................... 13
Trustworthiness................................................................................................................. 16
Ethical Considerations......................................................................................................17
Results: Discussion of themes..............................................................................................19
Theme 1- Personal Growth and Development..................................................................19
a) Self-understanding and Personal Interests...................................................................19
b) Self-Esteem and Self-Image.........................................................................................20
c) Compatibility of Views...................................................................................................20
d) Coping with Grief and Background...............................................................................20
Theme 2- Social Needs.....................................................................................................21
a) To Give Back to the Community...................................................................................21
b) Trying to Make a Difference..........................................................................................21
c) Socialising..................................................................................................................... 22
Theme 3- Sense of Purpose.............................................................................................22
a) Previous Professional and Personal Experiences.........................................................22
Theme 4- Volunteer-Related Problems.............................................................................22
a) Lack of Reaffirmation....................................................................................................23
b) Depression After Volunteering......................................................................................23
c) Staff Conflict.................................................................................................................. 24
Conclusions.......................................................................................................................... 24
, References........................................................................................................................... 25
Title: What motivates people to do volunteer work?
ABSTRACT: The purpose of the research was to understand what motivates
individuals to engage in volunteering behaviours. Understanding this behaviour
would assist volunteer-run organisations in appealing to, and hiring, more volunteers
as well as aid these organisations in keeping their current volunteer staff satisfied.
This research was also conducted to understand why South African volunteers in
particular dedicate their time to their chosen organisations, taking into consideration
the countries’ Apartheid background and current Ubuntu “way of being”. The
researcher used semi-structured interviews, which were on average 30 minutes in
length, to obtain relevant information from three willing participants, all of whom were
volunteering at a nearby volunteer-run organisation. After conducting thematic
content analysis on the transcribed interviews, 4 main themes (and 11 subthemes)
were identified. On closer inspection, these themes could be classified as either
altruistic or egoistic behaviour. It was concluded that both altruistic and egoistical
motives are present in volunteering behaviours. Although the results hold true for the
sample used for this research, it is realised that the sample was far too small for the
researcher to make any generalisations. This research however, has generated
more insight into the problem and increases the possibility for further research.
ENGAGE IN VOLUNTEER WORK
Qualitative research study completed for the partial fulfilment of a
BA Honours in Counselling Psychology at the University of South
Africa
Pakeezah Rajab
,Contents
Literature Review.................................................................................................................... 3
Research Rationale................................................................................................................ 7
Aims of the Research.............................................................................................................8
Methodology........................................................................................................................... 9
Research Design................................................................................................................9
Participants....................................................................................................................... 10
The Interviews................................................................................................................... 13
Data Analysis.................................................................................................................... 13
Trustworthiness................................................................................................................. 16
Ethical Considerations......................................................................................................17
Results: Discussion of themes..............................................................................................19
Theme 1- Personal Growth and Development..................................................................19
a) Self-understanding and Personal Interests...................................................................19
b) Self-Esteem and Self-Image.........................................................................................20
c) Compatibility of Views...................................................................................................20
d) Coping with Grief and Background...............................................................................20
Theme 2- Social Needs.....................................................................................................21
a) To Give Back to the Community...................................................................................21
b) Trying to Make a Difference..........................................................................................21
c) Socialising..................................................................................................................... 22
Theme 3- Sense of Purpose.............................................................................................22
a) Previous Professional and Personal Experiences.........................................................22
Theme 4- Volunteer-Related Problems.............................................................................22
a) Lack of Reaffirmation....................................................................................................23
b) Depression After Volunteering......................................................................................23
c) Staff Conflict.................................................................................................................. 24
Conclusions.......................................................................................................................... 24
, References........................................................................................................................... 25
Title: What motivates people to do volunteer work?
ABSTRACT: The purpose of the research was to understand what motivates
individuals to engage in volunteering behaviours. Understanding this behaviour
would assist volunteer-run organisations in appealing to, and hiring, more volunteers
as well as aid these organisations in keeping their current volunteer staff satisfied.
This research was also conducted to understand why South African volunteers in
particular dedicate their time to their chosen organisations, taking into consideration
the countries’ Apartheid background and current Ubuntu “way of being”. The
researcher used semi-structured interviews, which were on average 30 minutes in
length, to obtain relevant information from three willing participants, all of whom were
volunteering at a nearby volunteer-run organisation. After conducting thematic
content analysis on the transcribed interviews, 4 main themes (and 11 subthemes)
were identified. On closer inspection, these themes could be classified as either
altruistic or egoistic behaviour. It was concluded that both altruistic and egoistical
motives are present in volunteering behaviours. Although the results hold true for the
sample used for this research, it is realised that the sample was far too small for the
researcher to make any generalisations. This research however, has generated
more insight into the problem and increases the possibility for further research.
