Balancing acts of kindness

Reassessing the relationship between informal helping and formal volunteering

Dados Bibliográficos

ID2301413
AutoresHans-Peter Y Qvist (0000-0001-6231-3123, Aalborg University, Aalborg East, Denmark, autor correspondente)
Ano2024
Volume67
Fascículo4
Páginas478-490
Data de publicação2024-11-01
Peer ReviewedSim
Open AccessSim
TipoARTICLE
PeriódicoActa Sociologica (JOURNAL)
Identificadores do periódicoISSN: 0001-6993 • E-ISSN: 1502-3869
EditoraSAGE Publications Inc (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1177/00016993241233431
OpenAlexW4391947844
IdiomaEN
Citações recebidas5
Referências citadas27

Although time is a finite resource, much sociological research suggests a positive association between engagement in informal helping activities and formal volunteering. However, it remains unclear whether this relationship is causal and, if so, in which direction the causality runs. To address these issues, I draw on two-wave panel data from Denmark. Using a cross-lagged panel model, I find no evidence that formal volunteering hours affect informal helping activities. However, in the reverse direction, I find evidence of a right-skewed inverse U-shaped relationship. Specifically, the time individuals dedicate to formal volunteering marginally increases with time allocated to informal helping activities, but only as long as their informal helping obligations remain modest. However, once these informal helping obligations reach approximately 20 hours, the time individuals spend on formal volunteering decreases with informal helping hours. These findings suggest that even exceptionally helpful individuals, often referred to as 'super-helpers,' must balance their acts of kindness and their available time and energy. Moreover, I argue that while many people are motivated to engage in formal volunteering to benefit others, those with family and friends requiring assistance tend to prioritize these responsibilities before volunteering

Affect (linguistics · Balance (ability · Causality (physics · Helping behavior · Kindness · Political science · Prosocial behavior · Sociology · Law · Nonprofit Sector and Volunteering · Psychology · Social Capital and Networks · Social Psychology · Tourism, Volunteerism, and Development