Participation In Voluntary Activities Research Articles

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.

Human resources of the China Olympic volunteer program "Beijing 2022"

The article presents the results of an online survey conducted among the volunteers of the Olympic and/or Paralympic Games 2022 (Beijing, China). The text discusses the experience of participation of Chinese Olympic volunteers in relevant activities before the Games, their motivation for participating in the Olympic / Paralympic volunteer program, the level of satisfaction from participating in the organization and conduct of the Games, life and value orientations and attitudes towards further participation in volunteer activities. The results of the research show that more than half of the respondents had previous experience of participating in volunteer activities, as a rule, organized ones. Olympic volunteers have not only altruistic, but also selfish reasons in their motivation. Most of the volunteers of the Olympic and Paralympic Games in Beijing are satisfied with participation in this program, the largest proportion of respondents expressed a desire to participate in it again. Participants of the Olympic/Paralympic volunteer programs have demonstrated positive attitudes towards their current position and future, and a significant part of them plan to continue volunteering. Olympic volunteers, based on data on the level of satisfaction and future plans, represent a valuable resource for volunteering and can form a personnel reserve for professional volunteering and providing quality volunteer services.

ПРАКТИКА ВОЛОНТЕРСКОЙ ДЕЯТЕЛЬНОСТИ В КОРРЕКЦИОННЫХ ОБРАЗОВАТЕЛЬНЫХ ОРГАНИЗАЦИЯХ В КОНТЕКСТЕ СОЦИАЛИЗАЦИИ ДЕТЕЙ С НАРУШЕНИЕМ СЛУХА

The article reflects the problem of social adaptation and career guidance of children with hearing impairment through the practice of volunteering. The results of a diagnostic study of children with hearing impairment are shown to identify an orientation towards communicative professions, communicative and organizational inclinations for their participation in volunteer activities. Conclusions are drawn about the need to create and organize a favourable environment for the socialization and personal growth of children with hearing impairment.

Associations of Socioeconomic Status With Depression and Quality of Life in Patients With Hypertension: An Analysis of Data From the 2019 Community Health Survey in Korea.

ObjectivesWe aimed to identify the factors related to depression and quality of life in patients with hypertension by using multilevel regression analysis.MethodsIn 2019, 229 043 participants in the Korean Community Health Survey were selected as the study group. Individual factors were identified using data from the 2019 Community Health Survey. Regional factors were identified using data from the National Statistical Office of Korea. Multilevel regression analysis was conducted to find individual and local factors affecting depression and quality of life in patients with hypertension and to determine any associated interactions.ResultsAs individual factors in patients with hypertension, women, those with lower education-levels, recipients of basic livelihood benefits, and those with poor dietary conditions showed stronger associations with depression and quality of life. As regional factors and individual-level variables in patients with hypertension, lower gross regional personal income, fewer doctors at medical institutions, and lower rates of participation in volunteer activities presented stronger associations with depression and quality of life. In addition, the associations of depression with gross regional personal income, the number of doctors at medical institutions, and dietary conditions were significantly stronger in patients with hypertension than in patients without hypertension. The associations of gender and employment status with quality of life were also significantly greater.ConclusionsPolicy interventions are needed to adjust health behaviors, prevent depression, and improve quality of life for patients with hypertension, especially for those with the risk factors identified in this study.

The role of life skills in developing an authentic leadership attitude in public health students: a multicenter cross-sectional study in Poland

BackgroundDecision-making skills are considered crucial life skills that condition proper social functioning within groups (i.e., support authentic leadership skills and increasing one’s chances of success and wellbeing in life). Nonetheless, the number of scientific papers addressing the role of life skills in developing authentic leadership skills in public health students is limited. The aim of the present study was to develop a theoretical model to determine the role of selected life skills in developing authentic leadership skills in public health students.MethodsThe study was conducted from January 16 through February 28, 2018. In total, 653 students undertaking in-service training in Master’s degree programs qualified for the study, and complete data sets were obtained from 329 students (response rate 50.38%). The data were collected by means of a paper questionnaire. Four research tools were used in the study: The Authentic Leadership Self-Assessment Questionnaire, The Moral Foundations Questionnaire, The General Self-Efficacy Scale, and The Youth Leadership Life Skills Development Scale.ResultsTwo subgroups were identified among the public health students in the study: 1) the extra life skills training group (N = 113) and 2) the no extra life skills training group (N = 216). Both groups of study participants did not differ significantly in terms of age (M (SD): 25.0 (3.89) vs. 25.0 (3.66); t = 0.068, P = 0.946). On the other hand, clear differences were observed in the case of the respondents’ participation in voluntary service. The respondents from the extra life skills training group declared participation in voluntary activities less frequently than the respondents from the second identified group (48.7 vs. 31.9%).ConclusionsA verified theoretical model showed that course aimed at strengthening authentic leadership competences should be modular, should focus on self-improvement and critical reflection, and should be spread over time to enable and encourage each participant to grow and flourish at their own pace.

ОЦЕНКА РЕЗУЛЬТАТИВНОСТИ ФОРМИРОВАНИЯ LEAN-КОМПЕТЕНЦИЙ ПРИ ОСВОЕНИИ ОСНОВНОЙ ПРОФЕССИОНАЛЬНОЙ ОБРАЗОВАТЕЛЬНОЙ ПРОГРАММЫ «СЕСТРИНСКОЕ ДЕЛО»

Abstract. Introduction. The use of lean technologies in the activities of nursing staff has indicated the need for the formation of core competence among nurses already at the level of basic education. Building the trajectory of training innovative nursing personnel contributed to the development of a model for the formation of innovative competence of nursing specialists in the application of the concept of core making in their professional activities, its integration into the educational process and the transformation of the content of the basic level of education of nurses. Aim.The purpose of the study is to determine the effectiveness of the implementation of an educational model for the formation of lean competencies among medical college students studying in the speciality 34.02.01 «Nursing». Material and methods. The study was conducted in two stages: the first (October 2019) - before the introduction of the educational model; the second (May 2021) - evaluation of the results of model integration). The respondents were students of SBPEI NO «Arzamas Medical College», studying in the speciality 34.02.01 «Nursing»: in 2019 - the second and third year of study (312 persons), in 2021 - the fourth year of study (141 persons). To achieve the purpose of the study, a special questionnaire was developed. Future nurses' personal and professional development was also assessed, and their professional portrait was formed. The results were analyzed using Microsoft Office Excel and Statistica 5.0. Relative values and their errors were calculated, and Student's coefficient (t) was used to assess the significance of differences. When statistical testing hypotheses, the critical significance level was taken equal to 0.05. Results and discussion. Revealed significant positive dynamics of several indicators: the proportion of persons who are aware of the use of lean technologies in the professional activities of a nurse; the proportion of persons who are regularly interested in innovations in the healthcare sector; the proportion of those wishing to master the skills of using digital technologies in their professional activities; the share of those wishing to participate in innovative projects, as well as the attitude of respondents to maintaining order in personal belongings, is considered as a result of integration into the main professional educational program in the speciality 34.02.01 Nursing Models for the formation of lean-competence among students. Conclusion. The high efficiency of introducing the Model of the creation of innovative competence of nurses into the educational process in applying the concept of lean manufacturing in their professional activities has been proven. The professional portrait of future nurses lies in their professional orientation (desire to get a medical education and find a job in their speciality), possession of professionally important qualities, and active participation in volunteer activities.

Research on the Influence of Voluntary Service Activities Participation on University Students' Mental Health and Social Development.

In light of the positive correlation between university students' mental health and their social development, the research combined both social development and student participation theories with the correlation and linear regression analysis to explore the influence of voluntary service activities on university students' mental health and social development. The results show that there are differences in students' participation in voluntary activities in different grades, cadre experience, and academic achievement. All dimensions of university students' participation in voluntary service activities have a significant positive influence on university students' mental health and social development. The degree of participation, investment, interaction with other members, and achievement of expected objectives in university students' voluntary service activities have different degrees of influence on university students' ideological and moral cognition, personality development traits, and social adaptability.

Willingness to take COVID-19 vaccination in low-income countries: Evidence from Ethiopia.

BackgroundIn low-income countries, vaccination campaigns are lagging, and evidence on vaccine acceptance, a crucial public health planning input, remains scant. This is the first study that reports willingness to take COVID-19 vaccines and its socio-demographic correlates in Ethiopia, Africa’s second most populous country.MethodsThe analysis is based on a nationally representative survey data of 2,317 households conducted in the informal economy in November 2020. It employs two logistic regression models where the two outcome variables are (i) a household head’s willingness to take a COVID-19 vaccine or not, and (ii) if yes if they would also hypothetically pay (an unspecified amount) for it or not. Predictors include age, gender, education, marital status, income category, health insurance coverage, sickness due to COVID-19, chronic illness, trust in government, prior participation in voluntary activities, urban residence.ResultsWillingness to take the vaccine was high (88%) and significantly associated with COVID-19 cases in the family, trust in government and pro-social behavior. All other predictors such as gender, education, income, health insurance, chronic illness, urban residence did not significantly predict vaccine willingness at the 5% level. Among those willing to take the vaccine, 33% also answered that they would hypothetically pay (an unspecified amount) for it, an answer that is significantly associated with trust in government, health insurance coverage and income.ConclusionThe results highlight both opportunities and challenges. There is little evidence of vaccine hesitancy in Ethiopia among household heads operating in the informal economy. The role played by trust in government and pro-social behavior in motivating this outcome suggests that policy makers need to consider these factors in the planning of COVID-19 vaccine campaigns in order to foster vaccine uptake. At the same time, as the willingness to hypothetically pay for a COVID-19 vaccine seems to be small, fairly-priced vaccines along with financial support are also needed to ensure further uptake of COVID-19 vaccines.

Motivating Youth Volunteering

The active development of volunteering in Russia is determined by different motives for the activities of people included in the provision of free assistance to those who find themselves in a difficult life situation. It is noted that volunteering is inclusive, universal and becomes popular with the population. The article discusses motives that encourage students and young people who work on a voluntary basis to take care of the elderly, children left without parents, to contribute to solving important tasks of protecting nature, improving villages, small and large cities. Data from a sociological study of the motives for youth participation in volunteer activities showed that they contradictory combine the values of a culture of cooperation and a culture of egoism. For the vast majority, the main motive for volunteering is compassion, mercy, and the desire to make life easier for people who face difficulties. At the same time, for some volunteers, self-approval in activities approved by society, acquisition of communication skills, and establishment of useful contacts are significant motives. The problem of organizing work on the selection of volunteers for various types of volunteer activities is posed.

Opportunities for students of the medical university in the implementation of volunteer activities for working with children from disadvantaged families

The article discusses the implementation of directions for using the volunteer resource to solve significant problems of modern society. The article presents the results of a sociological study of medical volunteers of the Federal State Budgetary Educational Institution of Higher Education “Kursk State Medical University” of the Ministry of Health of Russia in order to study their attitude to personal participation in volunteer activities”; the experience of the youth club “Vysota” of the Solntsevskaya secondary school of the Solntsevsky district of the Kursk region is presented; the technology “get into a good company” is described, aimed at involving children from disadvantaged families in organizing and holding events together with socially active youth.

An Analysis of Factors Influencing Regional Resilience to Disaster Using the Resilience Cost Index

Natural disasters whose scale of damage exceeds the level that regional governments can afford are increasing. As such disasters have increased, the damage to local communities tends to be prolonged. Accordingly, it is important to prevent prolonged disaster damage and secure resilience to ensure quick recovery from the damage. This study analyzed the regional factors that can affect resilience to disaster, quantifying the regional resilience of each sigungu administrative district in Korea that suffered damage from natural disasters during the period 2010-2017 using the resilience cost index (RCI). We investigated the relationship between change in resilience cost index by year and changes in regional factors by year to identify the regions where industrial diversity was secured so as to reduce the exposure of each industry to disaster, budgets for social welfare were increased, and participation in volunteer activities was expanded, all of which tend to improve regional resilience.

Community-led action in response to the COVID-19 pandemic in Wales: a national, cross-sectional survey

BackgroundDuring the COVID-19 pandemic, large numbers of people in Wales gave their time to support others in their community in response to the health and social consequences of the virus. Local communities stepped up and self-organised around a common purpose. This community support is an important contributor to population health and, alongside social capital, are key assets for strengthening resilience and reducing health and social inequalities in communities in recovery from the pandemic. The aim of this study was to explore the wider context of community participation in voluntary activities and examine differences across communities. MethodsOur national cross-sectional online survey was open for 8 weeks during May 12 to July 9, 2021, targeting formal and informal volunteers via a multifaceted snowball sampling approach (age ≥18 years; living, working, volunteering in Wales). Outcome measures included motivation, benefits, activities, barriers, socioeconomics (age, education, employment, postcode), digital volunteerism, resilience (measured using RRC-ARM 12), health and wellbeing (measured using WEMWBS-14). Descriptive and multivariate analysis using SPSS, version 24, examined factors underlying volunteerism. Ethical approval was received on March 17, 2021, from University of Bristol, Faculty of Health Sciences Research Ethics Committee (115444). FindingsThe online survey was accessed 3517 times, providing 2075 eligible responses for analysis (approximately 59% response rate; calculated as n=2075/3517, because real denominator unknown due to the method of sampling). 71·7% of respondents were female, with median age 55 years (IQR 37–73). 58·9% of respondents were educated to degree level, 36·1% were full-time employed, and 53·9% experienced pandemic employment changes. 75·1% reported good or better health during the pandemic. 64·0% volunteered more time during the pandemic compared to before the pandemic. 1224 (59·0%) of 2075 volunteered through formally organised groups, compared with 1041 (50·4%) of 2065 prepandemic (dCohen –0·181, 95% CI –0·242 to –0·120). 490 (23·6%) of 2075 volunteered through informal groups, compared with 174 (8·4%) of 2065 prepandemic (dCohen –0·445, 95% CI –0·507 to –0·384). 1067 (51·4%) of 2075 volunteered as individuals, compared with 621 (30·1%) of 2065 prepandemic (dCohen –0·438, 95% CI –0·499 to –0·376). Of groups, 25·6% were new and 33·3% pre-existing with refocused activities. 54·5% of volunteers provided practical support and 40·0% provided befriending services for loneliness. Of volunteers, 79·4% were motivated by others' health and wellbeing, 57·0% by achievement, and 36·2% by increased needs awareness. 32·7% felt social media made volunteering easier. 84·1% felt people supported others well during the pandemic. 78·8% were likely to continue volunteering post pandemic, with lack of time the main barrier to continuing volunteering post pandemic (χ2 45·284, df 2, p<0·0001). InterpretationImproved understanding of factors, motivations, and wider context of emerging volunteering contributing to participation in community-led action and its impact on mitigating or reducing inequalities. FundingHealth Foundation.

Volunteer activity and depression among the elderly in China: A study on rural-urban differences.

Participation in volunteer activity has positive effects on health among elderly. Few studies have investigated the association between volunteer activity and depression among Chinese elderly. This study aimed to examine the association between volunteer activity and depression among the elderly in China regarding rural–urban differences.Totally 8255 subjects from the 2015 China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study were selected in this study. Depression was assessed by 10-item Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale. Types and frequency of volunteer activity were measured in the questionnaire. Multiple linear regression analysis was used to explore the relationship between volunteer activity and depression of elderly.In our study, the urban elderly had lower depressive scores than rural elderly (6.7 ± 5.8 vs. 9.1 ± 6.7). After adjustment for all covariates, our results revealed that almost daily participation in formal volunteer activities was negatively associated with depression among urban elderly (B = -2.69, SE = 1.05, P = .010); almost daily caring for a sick or disabled adult was positively associated with depression among both urban and rural elderly (urban:B = 3.13, SE = 1.54, P = .043; rural:B = 2.56, SE = 1.18, P = .031).These findings suggested that there was a negative association between formal volunteer activity and depression among urban elderly, while there was a positive association between caring for a sick or disabled adult and depression among both urban and rural elderly. The government should take effective measures to encourage the elderly to participate in formal volunteer activities to prevent them from depression.

Volunteering as a Form of Students’ Educational Activities in the Context of the University’s Third Mission

The article considers the service learning program and volunteering as relevant forms for the university’s “third mission” implementation. Volunteering in the educational process is understood as students’ gratuitous activities aimed at solving urgent social problems and designed to increase students’ social and civic activity. The article states that the volunteering has an educational resource for the development of students’ skills, which determines their professional development.As part of theoretical research, volunteering is presented as a basis and mechanism for implementing the service learning program in the context of university’s third mission. Within the framework of the service learning program, student social activity is viewed just as important as educational and research activities. The results of the research (student focus groups with experience in volunteering) aimed at identifying empirical signs of metacompetencies that are formed under volunteering conditions are presented. The study analyzes metacompetences as cognitive, behavioral and emotional aspects leading to more effective behavior in various situations. They are characterized by student’s self-awareness and self-government. The students’ metacompetencies as an educational result of their participation in volunteer activities are considered on the example of the National Research Tomsk State University.

Factors determining individuals’ participation in volunteer work: A study of the Cape Coast Metropolis in the Central Region of Ghana

Person-organisation fit is the compatibility between individuals' and the organisations' attributes. Researchers have used a variety of dimensions to measure this compatibility. In measuring the similarity between the individual and organization, this study has focused on goal and value congruence. The current study aimed to investigate the person-organization fit factors that influence individuals' participation in volunteer activities. A 16-item scale that consisted of two 8-item subscales was constructed to measure the individual and organization congruence. About 404 respondents completed the questionnaire in the Cape Coast Metropolis in Ghana. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, cross tabulation and principal component analysis. The study revealed that diverse group of people were involved in NGO volunteer activities. The factor analysis show a two-component solution that explained a total of 61.83 ​% of the variance, with component 1 (person factor) contributing 54.57 ​% and component 2 (organization factor) contributing 7.26 ​%. The high communality values of the individual items for the person and organization factors, ranging from .413 to .766, are indicative of the similarity of the goals and values. The strong positive correlation between the two subscales (r = .63) shows that fit exists between the individuals and organizations' factors might have a positive influence on the study respondents’ participation in volunteer activities. It is imperative that NGOs, especially those in the Cape Coast Metropolis pay particular attention to specific person-organization fit factors to attract, recruit and retain potential volunteers in the future.