Identifying the motivations of African American volunteers working to prevent HIV/AIDS.
Community-based organizations that are engaged in HIV/AIDS prevention and support services often rely on volunteers. This article describes the development of a 22-item inventory that measures the motivations of volunteers who deliver HIV prevention education in the African American community. In a statewide survey of volunteers (N = 102), the two strongest motivations for volunteer activity were concern for the African American community and a desire to understand the causes and consequences of the epidemic. These motives predicted the frequency that volunteers held discussions about HIV/AIDS with members of their community. Discussion focuses on the relevance of the results for the recruitment, training, and retention of volunteers.
Reeder
G D
GD
Department of Psychology, Illinois State University, Normal, Illinois 61790, USA. gdreeder@ilstu.edu
Davison
D M
DM
Gipson
K L
KL
Hesson-McInnis
M S
MS
D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000208:ethnology / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000635:transmission; D001741:Black or African American / Q000523:psychology*; D001294:Attitude to Health / Q000208:ethnology*; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000208:ethnology / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000635:transmission; D006266:Health Education; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007087:Illinois; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D009042:Motivation; D010555:Personality Inventory; D011594:Psychometrics; D012011:Red Cross; D014838:Volunteers / Q000523:psychology*