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Psychological Resilience of Volunteers in a South African Health Care Context: A Salutogenic Approach and Hermeneutic Phenomenological Inquiry

Author

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  • Antoni Barnard

    (Department of Industrial and Organisational Psychology, University of South Africa, Pretoria 0003, South Africa)

  • Aleksandra Furtak

    (Department of Human Resource Management, University of South Africa, Pretoria 0003, South Africa)

Abstract

Volunteering in non-Western countries, such as South Africa, is subject to poor infrastructure, lack of resources, poverty-stricken conditions and often conducted by volunteers from lower socio-economic spheres of society. Sustaining the well-being of volunteers in this context is essential in ensuring their continued capacity to volunteer. To do so, it is important to understand the psychological resilience of these volunteers and the resistance resources they employ to positively adapt to their challenging work-life circumstances. The aim of this qualitative hermeneutic phenomenological study was to explore volunteers’ psychological resilience from a salutogenic perspective. In-depth interviews were conducted with eight volunteers servicing government-run hospitals. Data were analysed through phenomenological hermeneutical analysis. Findings show a characteristic work-life orientation to be at the root of volunteers’ resilience. Their work-life orientation is based on a distinct inner drive, an other-directedness and a “calling” work orientation. It is proposed that this work-life orientation enables volunteers in this study context, to cope with and positively adapt to challenging work-life circumstances and continue volunteering. The elements of their work-life orientation are presented as intrapersonal strength resources fundamental to their psychological resilience. It is suggested that organisations invest in developmental interventions that endorse and promote these intrapersonal strengths.

Suggested Citation

  • Antoni Barnard & Aleksandra Furtak, 2020. "Psychological Resilience of Volunteers in a South African Health Care Context: A Salutogenic Approach and Hermeneutic Phenomenological Inquiry," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(8), pages 1-15, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:17:y:2020:i:8:p:2922-:d:349411
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Stephan Meier & Alois Stutzer, 2008. "Is Volunteering Rewarding in Itself?," Economica, London School of Economics and Political Science, vol. 75(297), pages 39-59, February.
    2. William R. Doyle & Benjamin T. Skinner, 2017. "Does Postsecondary Education Result in Civic Benefits?," The Journal of Higher Education, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 88(6), pages 863-893, November.
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    Cited by:

    1. Orna Braun-Lewensohn & Claude-Hélène Mayer, 2020. "Salutogenesis and Coping: Ways to Overcome Stress and Conflict," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(18), pages 1-6, September.

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