Abstract
Based on the ecological model of human adaptation to environments (Bronfenbrenner, 1979), the authors examined two responses to volunteer activity (burnout and satisfaction) among women in middle and later life. The research sample consisted of 146 women aged 46-85, volunteers in social services in Israel. The explanatory variables, which included socio-demographic characteristics, resources, and difficulties with volunteering, were organized on the basis of three ecological systems derived from Bronfenbrenner's model: the ontogenic system (socio-demographic variables, personality characteristics, empowerment, and motives for volunteering); the microsystem (family support for volunteering and difficulties with the provider organization), and the chrono-system (years of volunteering, and hours of volunteering per week). The research variables in the three ecological systems contributed significantly to explaining satisfaction with volunteer activity, but not as significantly to explaining burnout in volunteering. Sense of empowerment and motives for volunteering contributed most to the women's satisfaction, followed by family support. Burnout in volunteering was explained by the interaction between several variables belonging to all three ecological systems. In light of the research findings, several practical recommendations for volunteer organizations are offered.
Translated title of the contribution | Satisfaction and Burnout Among Women Volunteers in Middle and Later Life: An Ecological Model |
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Original language | Hebrew |
Pages (from-to) | 45-75 |
Journal | סוגיות חברתיות בישראל |
State | Published - 2007 |