Predictors of enjoyment in older and middle-aged adults engaged in episodic volunteer work

Background: As the baby boomer generation begins to exit the full-time workforce, the pool of older volunteers is expected to increase dramatically. There are also recent trends in research and practice towards episodic volunteering. Purpose: This study’s purpose is to determine factors associated with enjoyment in older and middle-aged episodic volunteers and to provide insight into their perceptions of this work. Methods: A mixed methods approach was used. Questionnaire data from the 2010 Olympics Older Volunteers Project was examined using quantitative analyses (n=255). Follow-up telephone interviews were subsequently administered with a sub-sample of participants (n=10). Results: For both age groups, perceived skill utilization predicted enjoyment, whereas individual factors had no effects. Qualitative interviews revealed how volunteering may be viewed as a generative act, and how episodic volunteerism can be connected to identity as one ages. Results provide information to organizations benefiting from the involvement of older and middle-aged episodic volunteers.