Motivation to participate and continue volunteer activities by middle and elderly people and their perception of results

Abstract

This survey was conducted with people aged 50 years and above,who were participating in volunteer activities in Japan. A questionnaire was consisted of three scales: Volunteer Functions Inventory (VFI), Volunteer Continuation Scale(VCS) and Volunteer Perceiving Results Scale(VPRS). Results of factor analysis of VFI identified three factors. VFI for Middle Aged and Elderly(VFI-MAE) was newly constructed based on the original version of VFI. Covariance structure analysis was conducted to examine the correlation among motives for participation,continuation of volunteer activities and the participants’ perception of the results of such activities. Results indicated that participating in volunteer activities and perceiving results motivated continuation of such activities by those people. Furthermore,it was suggested that the higher was their motivation to participate,the more they were motivated to continue to activities. Finally,it was discussed that this study was useful in promoting volunteer activities by those people.