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Does Basic Psychological Need Satisfaction Matter to College Students’ Sustained Volunteering? A Mixed-Methods Study

Author

Listed:
  • Shuang Zheng

    (Faculty of Psychology, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China)

  • Meilin Yao

    (Faculty of Psychology, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China)

  • Lifan Zhang

    (Faculty of Psychology, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China)

  • Jing Li

    (Faculty of Psychology, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China)

  • Huilin Xing

    (Faculty of Psychology, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China)

Abstract

Based on the self-determination theory (SDT), this study used a mixed-methods (i.e., quantitative and qualitative approaches) design to explore the role of basic psychological need satisfaction (BPNS) played in sustained volunteering. Quantitative analysis of 803 college student volunteers revealed that competence and relatedness need satisfaction had significant associations with sustained volunteering, while autonomy need satisfaction did not. Furthermore, latent profile analyses identified five profiles of BPNS: low (Profile 1), relatively low (Profile 2), moderate (Profile 3), low autonomy-high competence and relatedness (Profile 4), and high (Profile 5). Volunteers in Profile 4 and Profile 5 reported higher sustained volunteering than those in other profiles. Subsequent qualitative synthesis of interview data from 33 college student volunteers found that competence need satisfaction (45.58%) was mentioned most frequently among the factors promoting sustained volunteering, then followed by relatedness (27.43%) and autonomy need satisfaction (11.06%). These findings highlight the important role of BPNS, especially competence and relatedness need satisfaction, in promoting college students’ long-term volunteering.

Suggested Citation

  • Shuang Zheng & Meilin Yao & Lifan Zhang & Jing Li & Huilin Xing, 2021. "Does Basic Psychological Need Satisfaction Matter to College Students’ Sustained Volunteering? A Mixed-Methods Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(24), pages 1-16, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:24:p:13229-:d:703263
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Yan Kwok & Wing Chui & Lok Wong, 2013. "Need Satisfaction Mechanism Linking Volunteer Motivation and Life Satisfaction: A Mediation Study of Volunteers Subjective Well-Being," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 114(3), pages 1315-1329, December.
    2. Bhanot, Syon P. & Crost, Benjamin & Leight, Jessica & Mvukiyehe, Eric & Yedgenov, Bauyrzhan, 2021. "Can community service grants foster social and economic integration for youth? A randomized trial in Kazakhstan," Journal of Development Economics, Elsevier, vol. 153(C).
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    4. Lok Wong & Wing Chui & Yan Kwok, 2011. "The Volunteer Satisfaction Index: A Validation Study in the Chinese Cultural Context," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 104(1), pages 19-32, October.
    5. Lifan Zhang & Meilin Yao & Hongrui Liu & Shuang Zheng, 2021. "The Effect of Functional Motivation on Future Intention to Donate Blood: Moderating Role of the Blood Donor’s Stage," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(17), pages 1-11, August.
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