Social integration
Motivations for voluntary work

Motivations for voluntary work 2006 - General

Definitions/comments: True: values 9–10; rather true: values 6–8. The six motivations presented in the diagram were chosen because they are representative of others with similar commitment (groups of motivations identified by a principal components analysis and called ‘Pleasure and sociability’, ‘Own values’ and ‘Own benefit’).

Question wording: ‘Now I will read you some statements about your motivation for voluntary work. Please tell me in each case to what extent they apply to you. Please use the response scale of 0 to 10. 0 means ‘not at all true’ and 10 means ‘totally true’. With values between you can grade your response. I do voluntary work to help other people. I do voluntary work in order to solve my own problems. I do voluntary work because these activities give me pleasure. I do voluntary work because I meet nice people. I do voluntary work in order to increase my knowledge and experience. I do voluntary work in volunteering because these activities also benefit my career. My commitment to volunteering is motivated by my beliefs. In volunteering it is important for me to have the possibility of taking responsibility and making decisions. In volunteering it is important for me that my commitment is recognised. In volunteering it is important for me that such activities get a better image through my commitment. In volunteering it is important for me to have the opportunity to change things together with other people’.

Sample size: 7410; weighted data.

Source: Swiss volunteering monitor 2006.

Data for the indicator or in excel.

Description and explanation in the corresponding chapter of the Social Report 2008.