Parental, social and dispositional pathways to Israeli adolescentsʹ volunteering

Given the positive outcomes of volunteerism for youth and society, an important question is determining which factors promote and sustain youth volunteerism. The current study proposed a modified conceptual model among the constructs (parent and peer influences, prosocial personality dimensions, and sociodemographic correlates) outlined in Pennerʹs (2002) model of volunteering. Participants were 542 adolescent volunteers (57% female, M age = 16.47 years, SD = .68) in Magen David Adom, a first-aid organization located in Israel. Structural equation modeling was used to examine indirect and moderating influences on two volunteering outcomes: extent of and intention to sustain volunteering. Supporting the proposed model, a significant indirect path between parental influences, sympathy, helpfulness, and volunteering was evident for both outcomes. Demographic characteristics (sex, age, and secular orientation) did not moderate these relations, although being male and older were significantly related to increased volunteering. Theoretical and practical implications of the findings are discussed.