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Reasons Why Canadian Seniors Volunteer*

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  29 November 2010

Neena L. Chappell  and
Michael J. Prince
Neena L. Chappell
Affiliation:
University of Victoria
Michael J. Prince
Affiliation:
University of Victoria
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Abstract

Volunteering has become increasingly recognized as governments try to shrink the public purse, yet it is an area where little knowledge has been established. Using the National Survey on Volunteer Activity (1987) conducted in Canada, this paper examines types of and reasons for volunteering among Canadian seniors, compares these with types of and reasons given by younger adults, and examines the predictors of different types of reasons. The data reveal that seniors are less likely to volunteer out of self-interest but are more likely to volunteer for reasons of obligation and social value than is true of younger adults. Reason for volunteering, furthermore, is related to the type of volunteer activity in which individuals engage. Those volunteering out of obligation and for social value rather than self-interest (that is, seniors) are more likely to be involved in service provision. The reason for volunteering is also related to satisfaction with the experience.

Résumé

Bien que le bénévolat prenne de plus en plus d'importance à mesure que les gouvernements resserrent les cordons de la bourse, il demeure un secteur dans lequel peu de recherches ont été effectuées. À partir des données de l'Enquéte sur le bénévolat, réalisé au Canada en 1987, les auteurs examinent le type et les motifs d'activité bénévole chez les aînés au Canada. Ils comparent également ces données avec les types d'activités bénévoles et les motifs donnés chez les jeunes adultes, et examinent les prédicteurs des différents types de motifs. Les données révèlent que les aînés sont moins portés à s'adonner au bénévolat par intérêt personnel, mais qu'ils le font davantage par sentiment d'obligation ou de conscience sociale que ce n'est le cas chez les jeunes adultes. Par ailleurs, les motifs d'engagement bénévole sont directement reliés au type d'activité bénévole pratiqué. Ceux qui pratiquent le bénévolat par sentiment d'obligation ou par conscience sociale, plutôt que par intérêt personnel (c.-à.-d. les aînés) sont davantage portés sur la fourniture de services. Les motifs d'action bénévole sont également liés à la satisfaction tirée de l'expérience.

Keywords

Volunteer ActivitySeniorsReasonsNSVAActivité bénévolemotifsEnquête sur le bénévolat
Type
Articles
Information
Canadian Journal on Aging / La Revue canadienne du vieillissement , Volume 16 , Issue 2 , Été/Summer 1997 , pp. 336 - 353
Copyright
Copyright © Canadian Association on Gerontology 1997

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