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Associations Between Volunteering, STEM Backgrounds, and Information-Processing Skills in Adult Populations of the United States

Author

Listed:
  • Takashi Yamashita

    (University of Maryland, Baltimore County)

  • Donnette Narine

    (University of Maryland, Baltimore)

  • Wonmai Punksungka

    (George Mason University)

  • Jenna W. Kramer

    (RAND Corporation)

  • Rita Karam

    (University of Maryland, Baltimore County)

  • Phyllis A. Cummins

    (Miami University)

Abstract

Volunteering, STEM education and occupation, and information-processing skills such as literacy, numeracy, and digital problem-solving skills are important indicators of a nation’s well-being as they represent civic engagement, economic development, and the human capital of the population. Although these critical social indicators have been previously examined in silos, the interrelationships are yet to be examined in the adult populations in the United States. The current study analyzed the 2012/2014/2017 U.S. Program for the International Assessment of Adult Competencies (PIAAC) data of adults aged between 25 and 65 years old (n = 8,330). Results from the structural equation model showed that STEM education and occupation as well as information-processing skills independently promote volunteer participation. Also, STEM education and occupation are positively associated with information-processing skills. Yet, when simultaneously examining the mediation relationship, STEM education and occupation are no longer the promoters of volunteering. Findings from the current study can provide preliminary education, labor, and social policy implications for promoting the nation’s economy and well-being, and inform future research to disentangle complex interrelationships across the important social indicators.

Suggested Citation

  • Takashi Yamashita & Donnette Narine & Wonmai Punksungka & Jenna W. Kramer & Rita Karam & Phyllis A. Cummins, 2023. "Associations Between Volunteering, STEM Backgrounds, and Information-Processing Skills in Adult Populations of the United States," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 169(3), pages 1087-1108, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:soinre:v:169:y:2023:i:3:d:10.1007_s11205-023-03201-x
    DOI: 10.1007/s11205-023-03201-x
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Lindsey McDougle & Femida Handy & Sara Konrath & Marlene Walk, 2014. "Health Outcomes and Volunteering: The Moderating Role of Religiosity," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 117(2), pages 337-351, June.
    2. Kan Yao, 2019. "Heterogeneous skill distribution and college major: evidence from PIAAC," Journal of Applied Economics, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 22(1), pages 504-526, January.
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