Participation In Voluntary Activities Research Articles

Assessing the peer effects of college students' engagement in the circular economy: Survey evidence from textbook reuse and recycling in China

In the face of escalating environmental impacts caused by human activities, the development of a circular economy is widely regarded as a crucial sustainable solution. Identifying pivotal enablers driving the transition gains increasing significance. Scarce research has focused on how to improve public engagement in the circular economy and acceptance of circular products, especially for developing countries. Based on an interview of 2912 Chinese college students conducted in 2021, and the instrumental variable method, this paper innovatively documents positive associations of circular practices among peers. Specifically, it is found that: (1) individuals exhibit positive responses when their fellow classmates actively adopt used textbooks; (2) the impact is more pronounced among students majoring in energy and environmental fields, and for cohorts with higher participation in voluntary activities advocating sustainable lifestyles; and (3) the spillover effect is also manifested in engagement in second-hand book recycling. Given the potential of peers' beneficial influence as a promising instrument for driving circular economy practices, it is recommended that public policies consider its catalytic role.

Роль волонтерской деятельности в обеспечении процессов социализации современных подростков

The aim of the study is to determine the role of volunteer activities in ensuring socialization processes among adolescents in modern conditions. Based on a quantitative and qualitative analysis of diagnostic data collected from younger and older adolescents, the paper shows how their participation in volunteer activities influences significant aspects in their socialization, the formation of a number of personal characteristics and the general level of social training. The scientific novelty of the study lies in clarifying the importance of volunteering as a special form of manifestation of social initiative and activity among schoolchildren in ensuring the key parameters of socialization, i.e., social adaptation, personal autonomy, social activity, commitment to humanistic values, throughout adolescence using a single diagnostic toolkit. As a result of comparing two samples of respondents (participants in volunteer projects and their peers who do not have similar experience), it is shown that volunteer activities has significant potential in creating conditions for the development of socially important qualities and the formation of a subjective personal position among pupils in middle and high school.

Empowerment through engagement: assessing the female university students’ involvement in volunteering activities

PurposeThis study aims to identify how the involvement of female university students in volunteer organisations is contributing to their self-empowerment in Bangladesh.Design/methodology/approachA cross-sectional study with a qualitative approach was conducted. A total of 20 in-depth interviews with female student volunteers, two focus group discussions with student members of the volunteer organisation and ten key informant interviews with academics, gender experts and high-level representatives of civil society organisations were conducted. The data were collected from eight purposively selected universities in Dhaka. The data were collected between 1 January 2023 and 23 March 2023.FindingsThe inter-organisational environment appears to be supportive and welcoming, despite the fact that some male colleagues belittle women with insulting comments. Female students are predominantly involved in public presentation activities and their advice is rarely considered. To reach a top position, they have to show more commitment than their male colleagues. Subjective prejudices discourage women from taking on positions of responsibility. Participation in voluntary organisations strengthens the self-confidence, critical thinking, networking and social capital of female students, making it easier for them to gain employment. These factors contribute to the empowerment of female students.Originality/valueThis study is an excellent empirical document that establishes a link between the empowerment of female students and their participation in voluntary activities. The recommendations of this study pave the way for future research in different countries on how volunteering helps young people, especially female students, to shape their future by taking on social responsibility alongside their academic activities.

Could 70 Be the New 60? Investigating the Association Between Internet Use and Subjective Age Among Chinese Older Adults.

The widespread use of the Internet brings both opportunities and challenges for older adults. To understand its potential benefits and drawbacks, we focus on the association between Internet use and multiple indicators of subjective age (threshold age, felt age, and look age) and the underlying mechanisms. A nationally representative sample of older adults aged 60 and over from 3 waves (collected in 2016, 2018, and 2020) of the China Longitudinal Aging Social Survey was used in the analysis. A 3-step random-effect model and mediation analysis were used to examine the relationship between Internet use and subjective age and the mediating roles of volunteering and feeling valued by society. Structural equation modeling with a serial multiple mediation model was conducted for robustness checks. The participants generally considered 70 as the threshold for "old age." Although the mediation analysis did not show a significant indirect effect of Internet use on older adults' subjective age through volunteering, Internet use was linked with older adults' subjective age directly and indirectly through feeling valued by society. Compared to moderate Internet users, nonusers felt less valued by society and, therefore, had a younger threshold age and older subjective ages. Heavy Internet users showed a lower level of participation in volunteer activities. The results support previous theories about the mental and social health benefits of Internet use among older adults. However, Internet use intensity should receive more attention; excessive use may reduce the duration of older adults' offline social interactions.

Effects of Motivation to Participate in Volunteer Activities among Cosmetology Students on Self-fulfillment and Persistent Participation

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to identify the effects of motivation to participate in volunteer activities on self-fulfillment and persistent participation among cosmetology students and to provide basic data to encourage volunteering in the field of cosmetology.Methods: The survey extended from June 1 to June 10, 2023, and a total of 280 copies were distributed to university students majoring in cosmetology during their 4-year course at a university located in Daegu, Gyeongbuk. After excluding 8 copies, 272 copies were used for final analysis.Results: Among several participation motivations, this study revealed that increasing self-development motivation, purposive motivation, and leisure motivation had a significant positive effect on ability exhibition and purposeful ideal realization. Self-development motivation and purposive motivation had a significant positive effect on persistent participation in volunteer activities, whereas purposive motivation and leisure motivation had a significant positive effect on participation intensity. Further, the results showed that purposeful ideal realization and ability exhibition had a significant positive effect on self-fulfillment and participation intensity.Conclusion: It was confirmed that higher motivation to participate in volunteer activities among students majoring in cosmetology increased their self-fulfillment. Further, a higher rate of persistent participation in activities enhanced purposeful ideal realization in self-fulfillment, and a higher level of ability exhibition increased persistent participation in volunteer activities.

Professional sustainability of volunteers in context ecological approach under the conditions of war

The article reveals the peculiarities of volunteering, which contributes to the development of the employee's professionalism, and also contributes to the development of such values as tolerance, tolerance, an active life position, and responsibility. The purpose of the article is to characterize the volunteering of employees in the context of professional growth. Involvement of volunteers in various activities and programs changes their value priorities, in both directions, from the values of personal life (love, happy family life, productive life) to the value of self-realization and moral responsibility (interesting work, material status, honesty, tolerance, etc.). Among the empirical methods of research, the following were used: V. Boyk's "Diagnostics of the level of emotional burnout", M. Rokych's "Value orientations" method and O. Kokun's "Professional sustainability" method. According to the above-mentioned methods, the following components of the professional sustainability of volunteers are highlighted: emotional, motivational, social and professional components. Emotional exhaustion of volunteers is caused by psychosomatic and psychovegetative disorders, which is characterized by psychophysical fatigue of a person, desolation, leveling of one's own professional achievements, communication breakdown, development of cynical attitude towards the victims and development of psychosomatic disorders. In the majority of all subjects, personal detachment (depersonalization) is observed when performing professional duties and activities in general. Conclusions. Personal qualities that need to be developed and improved play an important role in this process. One of the important factors is the formation and development of civic competence of volunteers. thus, participation in volunteer activities allows for the development of a valuable component of civic competence, which is realized through the manifestation of the civic values of an individual.

The Contribution of the Internet to Promoting Mental Health for Older Adults: Cross-Sectional Survey in China.

Health is an important topic for everyone and essential to high-quality economic and social development. Recently, some researchers have suggested that older adults' internet use may have a health effect. This study specifically aims to clarify the relationship between internet use and the mental health of older adults, for which other surveys present contradictory results. Data were obtained from the China Longitudinal Aging Social Survey conducted in 2018. A total of 6648 participants were included. Mental health was assessed by the 12-item Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale. Ordinary least squares regression was adopted to explore the relationship between internet use (independent variable) and the mental health of older adults. Robustness analysis, sensitivity analysis, and heterogeneity analysis were conducted in detail to verify the empirical result. A mediating effect analysis was further conducted to discover the effect mechanism between the dependent and independent variables. It was found that internet use and smartphone use can significantly improve the mental health of older adults (ordinary least squares, β=.075; P<.001). After endogenous and robustness tests were conducted, the aforementioned conclusion remained robust. In particular, participation in voluntary activities played a mediating role in the relationship between internet use and the mental health of older adults. In addition, younger subjective age enhanced the positive effect of internet use on the mental health of older adults. Internet users showed higher levels of mental health among Chinese older adults. To improve the mental health of older adults, the government should not only cultivate the ability to use the internet but also encourage greater participation in voluntary activities among older adults.

Professional Sustainability of Personality: Analysis of Volunteering Activity in Modern Conditions

Volunteer work is difficult to characterize as easy, as it requires people to take a lot of responsibility, energy costs, emotional inclusion and the ability to quickly adapt in situations of increased complexity. There is a growing need to study the characteristics of volunteers’ sustainability. The aim of the article. The purpose of the article is to envisage volunteer activity in Ukraine as a manifestation of social activity of citizens in the context of determining the relationship between sustainability, value orientations and emotional burnout in volunteers as individual mental structures. Research methods. The psychodiagnostic toolkit consisted of the following techniques: the method of diagnosing the level of emotional “burnout” according to V. Boiko for studying the components of “emotional burnout” (tension, resistance, exhaustion), O. Kokun’s questionnaire “Professional vitality” in the context of revealing the components of vitality (control, inclusion, acceptance of a challenge (control, commitment, challenge)) and M. Rokych’s questionnaire “Value orientations” to outline the rank list of volunteers’ values. The results of the research. Involvement of volunteers in various events and programs changes their value priorities from the values of personal life (love, happy family life, productive life) to the values of self-realization and moral responsibility (interesting work, material status, honesty, tolerance, etc.). One of the important factors is the formation and development of civic competence. Conlusions. According to the results of the research, it was determined that participation in volunteer activities contributes to the development of the professionalism of the future social worker, such values as tolerance, patience, an active lifestyle, responsibility. Personal qualities that need to be developed and improved play an important role in this process. Волонтерську роботу складно охарактеризувати як легку, оскільки вона вимагає від людей великої відповідальності, енергетичних витрат, емоційної включеності та здатності швидко адаптуватися до ситуацій підвищеної складності. Зростає потреба у вивченні характеристик стійкості волонтерів.

Senior Immigrant Women and Participation in Voluntary Services in Norway.

In Norway, there is a rising trend in the number of senior immigrants. Engagement in society is known to be crucial to their well-being and health, with participation in voluntary activities being one way of partaking in a community. A qualitative study was conducted, involving 12 immigrant women aged 50 years and above. Semi-structured interviews were utilized to gain insight into their experiences of participation in activities, aiming to identify both facilitators and barriers to their engagement in activities provided by voluntary organizations. The analysis resulted in two main themes and five sub-themes. According to the women's experience, learning Norwegian was important for successful integration. They also emphasized the importance of social relationships for improved self-perceived health and a sense of belonging in a community. Language challenges and limited social integration were barriers negatively impacting their participation, with health being a crucial factor determining their capacity to engage in voluntary services. Since most of the women talked about their health, this became an important topic of further investigation. This article is a contribution towards gaining further insight into the experiences of senior immigrant women participating in voluntary services and explores the challenges faced by voluntary organizations in improving information dissemination and minimizing barriers to participation. Public health competence can improve knowledge regarding facilitating health-promoting participation in voluntary services.

The effectiveness of lifestyle interventions on ecological literacy: A contribution to the underlying mechanism in linguistic ecology.

In today's society, citizens' ecological literacy (ecoliteracy) is critical for their understanding of sustainable development. This study used a questionnaire designed to quantitatively assess ecoliteracy from a linguistic ecology perspective. First, an underlying mechanism model for ecoliteracy was designed based on the results of previous studies. Then, the ecoliteracy level assessment scores of Guiyang inhabitants were combined with the respondents' corresponding lifestyle characteristics to explore the effectiveness of interventions in affecting the participants' ecoliteracy levels. The results showed that the formation and development of ecoliteracy is a dynamic and circular process that revolves around variables of independent, dependent, mediating, moderating and control. The various factors in the model interact and operate evenly along a particular path. As for the level of lifestyle characteristics, participants' ecoliteracy levels had a statistically significant relationship with their attitudes regarding the importance of nature, participating in outdoor activities, and improving their ecoliteracy levels; as well as the frequencies regarding daily outdoor activity, the main activities in ecological areas, participation in volunteer activities, and use of ecological knowledge. The respondents with the highest levels of ecoliteracy had the most positive attitudes and engaged in ecological actions with the highest frequency. The lifestyle intervention features here are of great significance to the harmonious coexistence between humans and the natural environment and are also helpful for improving human health.

Distance learning in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic and war in Ukraine according to medical university students

Objective — to investigate the personal attitude of 5th and 6th year students of the medical faculties of Danylo Halytskyi Lviv National Medical University to mixed forms of education, including distance learning, in the context of quarantine of the COVID-19 pandemic and martial law.&#x0D; Materials and methods. A questionnaire was conducted to study the personal attitude of the 5th and 6th year students of the medical faculties of Danylo Halytskyi Lviv National Medical University to the study of curricula in a mixed form of education during the autumn semester of the 2022—2023 academic year.&#x0D; Results and discussion. Among the survey participants, a third (33.7 %) noted that they felt more responsible for their studies, realised the opportunity to be in the learning process, i. e. noted a change for the better, in general. However, 18.5 % of the respondents indicated a negative change, feeling indifferent. One third of students (39.1 %) rated their level of anxiety as high, and one third (33.7 %) as very high. It has been found that 30.4 % of students are engaged in volunteer activities alongside their studies, and more than half (53.2 %) are employed, including 30.4 % of all survey participants working in the medical field. Among the 6th year students, participation in volunteer activities increased compared to the 5th year students, and 39.7 % were engaged in it, and more 6th year students were also employed — 56.4 %. Among the negative factors for 80.4 % of the surveyed 5th year medical students, the priority was the lack of acquisition and improvement of practical skills, which is obvious. «Technical difficulties» came second. Distance learning had no impact on the desire to acquire knowledge in 72.3 % of students, and 27.7 % said they felt a lack of motivation to study after switching to distance learning.&#x0D; Conclusions. The war and martial law in Ukraine have become a source of stress for all participants in the educational process, so understanding students’ personal attitudes to learning is relevant and necessary in modern conditions. The use of information technology tools increases opportunities for both education and science. During the quarantine caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and martial law in Ukraine, the educational process did not stop, and the distance learning format, according to the vast majority of students surveyed, made it possible to continue studying medicine in relatively safe places.

Relationship of Environmental Factors Towards Student Participation in Volunteering Activities

Volunteering refers to an action or activities that are performed freely, without the expectation of payment or other material gain, and which benefit both the volunteers and the community they are serving, whether they are official or informal, carried out alone or in groups. Environmental considerations are one of the factors that influence student interest in volunteer work. In the context of this study, the environment refers to people surrounding students who have an impact on their participation in volunteer activities. There are two objectives in this study: to determine who the key players are that affect student involvement in volunteering and to investigate how environmental factors relate to student involvement in volunteering. In this study, 400 students from three public universities who participate in volunteer work participated in a face-to-face survey for this quantitative study (UM, UKM and UPM). Based on the names of the membership of the chosen association, Kelab Penyayang (UPM and UKM), and the Universiti Malaya Volunteer Secretariat (UM), the sample was randomly chosen. The study's findings indicate that friends and teaching staff (etc. teacher or lecturers) have the greatest influence on student volunteer involvement in charitable endeavours. While there is a relatively strong and significant correlation between environmental factors and student volunteering (r = 0.44, sig = 0.00). The findings of this study will likely serve as a guide for those who want to help students develop a culture of volunteering.

Связь образа мира у российской студенческой молодежи с опытом участия в волонтерской деятельности

&lt;p&gt;The relevance of the study of the conditions for the formation of the image of the world as an integral characteristic of the individual semantic system of the personality, that determines the interaction with the world and its life position, is due to the transitivity and high uncertainty of modern society. The aim of the study is to investigate the the image of the world in the current and future perspective among young people with different experience of participating in volunteer activities. The hypothesis was the assumption of differences in the image of the world in the time coordinates "present - future" among students with different experience in volunteering. The study used the Bipolar Semantic Differential method for two consecutive assessments of the image of the world: "The world now" and "The world in 5 years"; a questionnaire scale of basic beliefs, a questionnaire for participation in volunteer activities. The data consists of 211 Russian students aged from 18 till 23 (M=19.7; SD=1.61). Among them are 91 (43.1%) men and 120 (56.9%) women. Significant differences in world image in present and future are revealed. The image in present is contradictory, characterized mainly negatively as unpredictable, uncontrollable, anxious, complex. The image of "The World in 5 years" is positive, characterized as meaningful, active, fair and reliable (t-Student criteria, р &amp;le; 0.02). The connection between the characteristics of the image of the world and basic assumptions, primarily with the perception of the justice of the world, has been established. The positive role of participation in volunteer activities of student youth for the formation of a positive image of the world is proved: world nowadays is regarded as more active, and in future more controlled and benevolent (t-Student criteria, р &amp;le; 0.02, and significant (t-Student criteria, р = 0.043).&lt;/p&gt;

Social Inclusion of the Elderly as an Indicator of the Quality of Life

The article analyzes the quality of life of elderly people aged over 55 years in Bulgaria concerning their social inclusion in society; the analysis is based on a representative social survey of people aged 55+ entitled “Study on the Quality of Life of People Aged 55+ in Bulgaria”, conducted in 2022 by the Institute of Philosophy and Sociology at the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences. One thousand thirty respondents were surveyed. In the article, the quality of life of elderly people in terms of their social inclusion is studied through objective and subjective indicators. The survey results indisputably show that, by objective indicators of social inclusion of elderly people, the degree of social engagement of people aged 55+ in Bulgaria is not exceptionally high; such engagement consists, above all, of frequent social contact with close relatives, friends and neighbors, and assisting relatives, friends, and neighbors. The levels of social inclusion fall sharply regarding formalized social participation in volunteer activities for various organizations or even attendance at cultural events and interest clubs. However, we find that in terms of subjective assessments, the level of social engagement of elderly people corresponds fully to their needs and expectations for a whole and meaningful life, which thus makes satisfaction with the degree of social inclusion as a subjective indicator of the quality of social life, a factor that links the two levels of quality of life – individual and social. Thus, although objective indicators of social inclusion of elderly people in our country do not always indicate high levels of social engagement, subjective satisfaction with social inclusion points to a quality of life at the social level that fulfills the conditions for social cohesion and integration of elderly people in the life of society.

The issue of patriotism is still relevant

The article highlights the issues of patriotic education of medical college students. Development of the volunteer movement. Volunteer activity is a condition for the formation of components of students' resilience, as it gives them the opportunity to fulfill themselves, gain life experience, show humane qualities and feel satisfaction from socially useful activities. In the process of volunteering, students — future doctors — have an organic combination of mercy and professional skills, which allows them to effectively engage in volunteering. Participation in volunteering forms students' readiness for independent decision-making, develops susceptibility to the problems of society. Target. Creation of conditions for the education of patriotic feelings of students by updating the forms, methods and techniques of pedagogical influence, the development of the student's personal culture, as the basis of his love for the Fatherland through participation in volunteer activities. Results. The volunteer squad, organized at the college level, has been developed to the level of regional participation. Conclusion. Thus, the ongoing work showed the need to organize and involve future medical workers in volunteer activities in order to solve the following tasks: unlocking the potential of volunteering for the professional development of a future employee; increasing the level of social activity of students in the process of practical solution of the needs of the population; formation of readiness for the implementation of volunteer activities.

Participation in Volunteer and Lifelong Learning Activities among Older Persons in Romania

The aim of this article is to assess the level of involvement of Romanian older persons in volunteer activities and lifelong learning, as well as the factors that restrict their participation. To respond to this objective, a survey among older persons (65 years and over) was conducted at national level. Our study reveals that Romanian older persons reported a very low participation rate in volunteer activities organized by different organizations and the main reason was the lack of information regarding the availability of such activities in the community where they live or the poor health status. Regarding the participation in volunteer activities people aged 75-84, men or respondents living in rural areas have the highest rates of participation. In case of older persons enrolled in lifelong learning courses, less than ten percent of respondents selected at least one course they attended over the last 12 months. Male respondents had a higher participation rate compared to women in healthy lifestyle courses. The results of our study highlight the need for appropriate medium and long-term policy measures in the field of active ageing.

Moral and patriotic coordinates of volunteer activity as a means of building educational and socio-pedagogical work

In the article, the built picture of the four-vector phenomenology of voluntary activity (heroic, victim, transformative, life-affirming) can serve as a kind of “ethical map” for measuring the motivation for participation in volunteering. In addition, it can serve as the basis for determining the goals and mission of building educational and socio-pedagogical work in various volunteer associations. The problem of the formation of social activity of student youth in the conditions of reforming Ukrainian society is analyzed, the criteria of social activity, the importance of social activity for the further development of society and the professional development of students are considered. The concept of volunteering as a segment of civil society, the main directions of volunteering in modern Ukraine, the impact of hostilities in the East of the country on the development of volunteering have been studied. The thesis about the dialectical relationship between social activity and students' participation in volunteer activities is substantiated, where volunteer activity is considered as a manifestation of social activity and as a factor in its formation. An example of the activities of a higher educational institution regarding the involvement of students in volunteer practice as an important factor in the formation of students' social activity is given.

ВЛИЯНИЕ ВОЛОНТЕРСТВА НА СОЦИАЛЬНУЮ АКТИВНОСТЬ ОБУЧАЮЩИХСЯ В РОССИЙСКИХ ВУЗАХ

The authors of the work note that the changing social reality contributes to the fact that modern young people become one of the interested participants in the ongoing social processes and events. The social activity of young people is particularly recorded during the period of their education, since the capabilities of Russian universities allow young people to actively express themselves in various fields: educational, scientific, social, sports, cultural and mass. The authors point out that the participation of students in volunteer movements affects the overall level of social activity. Participation in volunteer activities allows young people to accumulate various general cultural and professional competencies, expand social ties, interact with a group of like-minded people, self-actualize and show creativity.

Volunteer activity and the prevalence of long-term care/support needs among older Japanese people: a spatial error model

Background: Volunteer activities, one type of social participation, are important for preventing the need for long-term care/support. This study aimed to identify the associations between volunteer activities and prevalence of older people’s long-term care/support needs in Japan. Methods: This was a cross-sectional ecological study of data from 47 prefectures collected by Statistics Bureau of Japan. We performed model specification using ordinary least squares (OLS) and best subset selection to elucidate the associations between the prevalence of older people’s long-term care/support needs and their participation in volunteer activities for people aged ≥ 10 years. For spatially adjusted associations, we evaluated the variables using a spatial error model (SEM). Results: The mean prevalence of long-term care/support needs was higher for older female than male (male: 12.82%; female: 22.55%). Volunteer activities with the highest mean participation rates were local improvement activities (male: 15.20%; female: 11.94%) and activities for children (male: 6.74%; female: 10.45%). OLS and SEM indicated that safety promotion activities (OLS: B = −0.156, p = 0.010; SEM: B = −0.160, p = 0.049) and activities related to international cooperation (OLS: B = −1.086, p = 0.034; SEM: B = −1.041, p = 0.020) were associated with low prevalence of long-term care/support needs among male older people. In both models, conservation and environmental activities (OLS: B = −0.892, p = 0.019; SEM: B = −0.805, p = 0.015) and activities for children (OLS: B = −0.605, p = 0.003; SEM: B = −0.420, p=0.018) were associated with low prevalence for female older people. Conclusion: Volunteer activities in this study might effectively decrease the prevalence of long-term care/support needs among older people.

Autonomy of people with psychological suffering from the perspective of work: Perceptions of users and their families

ObjectiveTo present the results of a study with a psychosocial approach that aimed to examine the autonomy of people with mental suffering cared for at psychosocial care centres from the perspective of work, based on the perceptions of the users and their families, and using the psychosocial rehabilitation framework and Agnes Heller’s theory of everyday life. MethodsFour psychosocial care centres were selected, and 40 people collaborated with the research through semi-structured interviews analysed with the Collective Subject Discourse technique. ResultsAlthough the users wanted to have a job, they showed no initiative, as there are impediments to carrying out work activities due to the side effects of the medication and the obstacles posed by third parties concerned about the loss of social benefits. Prejudice was seen as a mechanism that negatively interferes with social relations and empowerment for autonomy. Expectations of resuming studies and participation in voluntary activities, especially religious ones, were frequent in the users’ discourse. ConclusionsThere is an urgent need to expand territorial spaces so that the users of mental health services can be protagonists of their own autonomy and carry out their occupations in the area of productivity with greater ownership.