Factors Associated with Volunteer Behavior Among Community Dwelling Older Persons

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Abstract
Relatively little is known about the potential value of volunteerism for late-life fulfillment for community living aged. Utilizing a multidimensional four-factor conceptual model anchored in prior research and sociological role theory, this paper explores the factors associated with volunteer behavior for a sample of 356 older persons who participated in a face-to-face interview. Results provided by logistic regression analysis suggest that individuals who have volunteered in the past, those who perceive opportunity to exist for volunteer activities, those with higher income and those who perceive volunteerism to be important are more likely to engage in volunteer activities. The results indicate that a multidimensional approach to understanding predictors of volunteerism is effective. Further, more emphasis should be placed on factors other than personality traits, such as altruism, for recruiting older volunteers.