Valores humanos y voluntariado. Un estudio en personas mayores

Purpose: This research goes in depth in the human values profile that influences elderly to
volunteer. In exploring possible relationships between values and volunteering, we adopt the
analysis perspective of the Theory of Basic Human Values framework developed by Schwartz
(1992).
Design/methodology: Based on an initial exploratory analysis, the study presents a logistic
regression model that shows the extent to which an individual’s personal values explain his/her
volunteer behaviour on elderly people.
Findings: The results confirm that a retiree’s engagement or lack of engagement in volunteer
activities may be satisfactorily explained by the set of human values. The results show that
retired volunteers experience a stronger sense of self-transcendence and predisposition towards
change, and higher aversion to self-enhancement and conservation.
Practical implications: To increase the commitment and motivation of retired elder
volunteers and to thus firmly confront challenges that threaten the non-profit sector, human
resource professionals of non-profit organizations must ensure consistency between individual
values and the nature of activities that volunteers perform, increasing such way those people’s
commitment.
Originality/value: Despite the abundant studies that have related volunteering by elders to
physical and socio-emotional wellbeing and to seniors’ motivations while performing volunteer
work, fewer studies have focused on personal values that prompt such individuals to participate
in altruistic efforts.