Volunteering by elders: a question of values?. Issue 11 (10th September 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Ariza-Montes, Antonio; Tirado-Valencia, Pilar; Fernández-Rodríguez, Vicente; Leal-Rodríguez, Antonio
• Is Part Of: Service industries journal. Volume 37:Issue 11/12(2017)
• Page Start: 685
• Page End: 702
• Publication Date: 2017-09-10
• Subjects: Volunteering -- human values -- elderly; Service industries -- Periodicals; Service industries -- Great Britain -- Periodicals; 338.4
• DOI: 10.1080/02642069.2017.1298095
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0264-2069

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Adopting the Theory of Basic Human Values by Schwartz [1992. Universals in the content and structure of values: Theoretical advances and empirical tests in 20 countries. Advances in Experimental Social Psychology, 25 (1), 1–65] as an analytical framework, this article examines whether certain personal values held by seniors activate the volunteering 'gene' while others counteract it. We thus conduct an empirical study involving the use of a logistic regression model that shows, in probabilistic terms, traits that characterize senior and retired volunteers as opposed to those of the same group who do not dedicate time to this activity. Our multivariate analysis shows that retired volunteers experience a stronger sense of self-transcendence and predisposition towards change while exhibiting a stronger aversion towards conservation. The article concludes with a discussion and a description of primary practical implications derived from the study.