Relationship between college students’ social support and volunteer motivation in the post-epidemic era / 西安交通大学学报(医学版)

ABSTRACT

【Objective】 To investigate the intrinsic relationship of social support and psychological capital with college students’ volunteer motivation in the post-epidemic era so as to provide theoretical basis for formulating policies and measures to increase college students’ participation in volunteer activities. 【Methods】 In March 2022, 1 120 college students from 15 universities in Henan Province were selected by convenient sampling method. Their general information, social support, psychological capital, and volunteer motivation were investigated, and univariate analysis, correlation analysis and intermediary effect analysis were performed. 【Results】 The differences of scores in six dimensions of volunteer motivation (i.e., values, understanding, enhancement, career, social interaction, and self-protection) were statistically significant (F=124.90, P<0.001). There were significant differences in social support level of college students of different genders (t=-2.40, P<0.05), and the difference in volunteer motivation level among different grades of college students was statistically significant (F=6.72, P<0.001). Social support, psychological capital, and volunteer motivation were positively correlated with one another (r=0.41, r=0.35, r=0.50, P<0.001). Part of the intermediary effect of psychological capital between social support and volunteer motivation was significant (intermediary effect value=0.49, 95% CI 0.39-0.59). 【Conclusion】 Colleges and universities can take corresponding measures to improve college students’ volunteer motivation level by improving social support and psychological capital level.