Motivation und Lebenszufriedenheit von ehrenamtlichen Mitarbeiter:innen in der Sozialen Arbeit

Abstract

In this paper, the two characteristics „motivation and life satisfaction“ of volunteers working in social work throughout Austria are analyzed. A quantitative online survey was conducted, whereby a questionnaire was created using Sosci Survey. Two measurement instruments (Volunteer Functions Inventory (VFI) / General Life Satisfaction Inventory (L-1)) were used and adapted for the standardized online questionnaire. The sample comprises 97 volunteers (n = 97). All collected data was analyzed using the SPSS statistics program. Correlation analyses were calculated. The results showed that the volunteers have a high level of life satisfaction and are also intrinsically motivated to volunteer. It was also shown that for volunteers with a high level of life satisfaction, a professional career does not appear to be extremely important. By analyzing the six motivators (career, self-worth, protection, social adjustment, values, experience) and life satisfaction, it became clear that both constructs are important for the work of volunteers and help to better understand which individuals participate in volunteering.

Date of Award	2025
Original language	German (Austria)
Supervisor	Dagmar Strohmeier (Supervisor)