The motivations to volunteer in therapeutic care and impact on psychological well-being

Abstract

Background: Research has previously identified how undertaking voluntary roles can have a positive impact on psychological well-being and overall health. The study aims to explore the impact on happiness, well-being, life satisfaction and stress, to also understand the volunteer’s enthusiasm to take part in unpaid roles. Method: Participants were recruited from a hospital in the North East of England, whilst attending mandatory volunteer training. Forty volunteers were surveyed before and six weeks after volunteering started. The obtained scores were analysed using a paired sample t-test, against the hours completed and the motivation to volunteer. As well as this, 6 participants took part in a semi-structured qualitative interview to elaborate on their motivations to volunteer. Transcripts were analysed using Thematic Analysis. Findings: Happiness, life satisfaction and stress were significant against the hours completed and the motive to volunteer. Well-being was only found to be significant for the hours volunteered. The interviews identified five themes; allowing the volunteers to gain experience and repay the NHS. Volunteers also felt their presence had a positive impact on staff and patient care, and highlighted improvements to the support given to volunteers. Discussion: Practically, the research help to understand the need to account for psychological wellbeing in volunteers, and indicates a potential for volunteering as interventions to improve health. Future research is required to identify the benefits for patients who engage in therapeutic interaction.