A Thematic Analysis of Motivational Experiences of Volunteers Engaged in Health-Oriented Charitable Activities
Keywords:
Volunteering, Motivation, Charitable Activity, Health-Oriented, Thematic Analysis, Lived ExperienceAbstract
The aim of this study was to identify and thematically analyze the motivational experiences of volunteers involved in health-oriented charitable activities. This qualitative study employed thematic analysis. The participants were health volunteers in Tehran, selected through purposive sampling with maximum variation. Data were collected via 19 semi-structured interviews and continued until theoretical saturation was achieved. Data were analyzed using NVivo software and Braun and Clarke’s six-phase thematic analysis approach. The results revealed three main themes: "Intrinsic Motivational Factors," "Interpersonal and Environmental Factors," and "Non-Material Rewards of Volunteering." Subthemes included a sense of purpose and meaning, joy of helping others, self-fulfillment, family support, group experience, enhanced social status, and sense of belonging. Participants described their volunteering experience in health as deeply human, meaningful, and transformative, contributing to both personal and social growth. Volunteering in health-related domains is driven by multifaceted internal and external motivations, forming a layered and identity-shaping experience. Understanding these motivational dynamics can inform the development of more effective volunteer recruitment, retention, and support programs in health promotion.
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This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.