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Category: Project

Description: This paper presents a longitudinal analysis of values and volunteering in the Netherlands. The question answered is to what extent differences between volunteers and non-volunteers in prosocial values are the result of selection or causation processes. Selection means that volunteers have more prosocial values than non-volunteers at the start of volunteering or that prosocial values reduce the likelihood to quit volunteering. Causation means that volunteering promotes prosocial values. Data from three waves of the Giving in the Netherlands Panel Survey (2002-2006) are analysed to disentangle causes and effects in the relation between values and volunteering. Volunteers have a stronger tendency to cooperate with others in social dilemma situations, are more trusting of others, feel more strongly responsible for community at large, and find helping others more important than nonvolunteers. The results reveal that relations between prosocial values and volunteering are mostly due to selection. Those with more prosocial values are more likely to join the volunteer work force, and are less likely to quit. Effects of volunteering on prosocial values are limited.