title: The quality of volunteers' motives: Integrating the functional approach and self-determination theory.
abstract: Volunteers' motives have been differentially linked to various aspects of successful volunteering. Using self-determination theory, we propose that volunteer functions are systematically related to the experience of self-determined versus controlled motivation. This "quality of motivation," in turn, explains why motives are differentially associated with satisfaction. We conducted two studies: Study 1 (N1 = 824) addressed motives, quality of motivation, and satisfaction; Study 2 (N2 = 323) additionally examined function-specific benefits and the extent to which they match volunteers' motives. Overall, our hypotheses were supported: values, understanding, and social justice motives were positively associated with relatively self-determined motivation (RSM), whereas career, social, protective, and enhancement motives showed negative correlations. The relationships between motives and satisfaction were partially mediated by RSM. Concerning benefits, Study 2 corroborated these findings for values, protective, enhancement, and social justice. This research introduces a new perspective on the quality of volunteers' motives-with theoretical and practical implications.
authors.affiliation: a University of Applied Sciences and Arts Northwestern Switzerland.
authors.forename: Stefan Tomas
authors.initials: ST
authors.lastname: Güntert
authors.affiliation: b Catholic University of Eichstätt-Ingolstadt.
authors.forename: Isabel Theresia
authors.initials: IT
authors.lastname: Strubel
authors.affiliation: b Catholic University of Eichstätt-Ingolstadt.
authors.forename: Elisabeth
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Kals
authors.affiliation: c ETH Zurich.
authors.forename: Theo
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Wehner
mesh_terms: D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009042:Motivation; D026684:Personal Autonomy; D010549:Personal Satisfaction; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013557:Switzerland; D014838:Volunteers / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data
keywords: Functional approach; motivation; satisfaction; self-determination theory; volunteerism