Volunteers in the COVID-19 Pandemic Era: Intrinsic, Extrinsic, or Altruistic Motivation? Postgraduate International Students in China

Abstract

Volunteerism is influenced by varied motivational factors. As the world is still suffering from the devastating effect of the COVID-19 pandemic, China, through collective efforts by the government, local people, and the international community comprising of student volunteers, has been able to reduce the rate of infection. The qualitative study involving fifteen (15) international postgraduate student volunteers explored the motivation behind their decision to volunteer in the deadly COVID-19 crisis. Participants of the study were randomly sampled from three universities. Findings of the study suggest that student volunteers were largely influenced by intrinsic-altruistic motives as opposed to extrinsic motives. The volunteers distributed mask, thermometers, checked temperatures, educated students on COVID-19, and made videos to encourage students suffering from anxiety, depression, and boredom. It was found that despite contextual challenges, the intrinsically and altruistically motivated volunteers had satisfaction to engage in volunteering activities. Volunteer management boards should ensure volunteers are well-motivated. Future research should replicate this study by investigating factors that affect the volunteering role of international students and the impact of international volunteering on well-being and work-life of volunteers.

Keywords:

• Volunteers
• motivation
• international students
• COVID-19
• China

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).