HOW VOLUNTEERING BOOSTS COMMUNITY WELL-BEING: PATHWAYS TO A MORE CONNECTED AND SATISFIED SOCIETY
HOW VOLUNTEERING BOOSTS COMMUNITY WELL-BEING: PATHWAYS TO A MORE CONNECTED AND SATISFIED SOCIETY

Summary/Abstract: Volunteers significantly improve the well-being of individuals and communities by positively influencing subjective personal factors such as satisfaction with life, mental health, and self-confidence, as well as social factors such as cohesion and trust. This relationship is supported by several theoretical frameworks, including the theory of social capital, which suggests that volunteering improves community interconnection and reciprocal trust. The theory of human capital emphasizes the development of personal and professional skills of volunteers that improve personal growth and social productivity. However, obstacles such as socioeconomic inequality, cultural norms, limited time, and organizational obstacles have a significant impact on volunteers' participation. Evidence shows that volunteer roles are closely linked to motivations and capacities and positively linked to improved well-being. In particular, official volunteer activities have shown a strong correlation (R = 0,523) with the satisfaction of life in the countries of the European Union.

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