Abstract:

This study aims to understand volunteer motivations of middle-aged and older adults and their self-efficacy. By analyzing the influence of volunteer motivations to self-efficacy, this study will recommend apply strategies of volunteers and ways to improve self-efficacy. As a reaction to the aging society, the Ministry of Education (MoE) have been launching active aging learning centers (AALC) since 2008. By 2017, 363 AALCs have been established. At the same time, middle-aged and older adults were also encouraged to join volunteer services and became important human resource to assist the operation of the centers. In addition, Erikson, Erikson, and Kivnick (1986) believed that volunteer service was an active social participation for older adults, which was beneficial to physical and mental health, also promoting social functions, and had the effect of delaying aging. However, what motivates middle-aged and older adults to participate in volunteer service, how to improve volunteer effectiveness and how to promote the continued participation of volunteers are the focuses of this study.

The purposes are as follows:
1.To know the motivation of middle-aged and older adults to participate in volunteer service
2.To understand the self-efficacy of middle-aged and older adults participating in volunteer service
3.To perceive the influence of the motivation of middle-aged and older adults participating in volunteer service on self-efficacy

This study used a questionnaire survey, which included: basic personal data, participation motivation scale, and self-efficacy scale. The development of the questionnaire included three stages. First, it was developed through literary review. Secondly, 5 experts and scholars were invited to assess the questionnaire to establish content validity. Then, this study conducted preliminarily examination analysis on 10 AALCs to build reliability and validity. The subjects were volunteers of the AALCs. From the 316 centers set up in 2014, 60 subjects were selected according to the principle of proportionality. There were 20 questionnaires being sent to each center, 1200 in total, and the valid response rate was 75.58%. This study conducted statistical analysis with descriptive statistics and regression analysis.

Five conclusions were obtained, including:
1.The volunteers have a high degree of motivation for participation, among which the average number of self-growth is the highest, followed by values identification, and the third is interpersonal interaction.
2.The volunteers have a high degree of self-efficacy. Among them, the average number of interpersonal fusion is the highest, followed by adaptation, and third, self-awareness.
3.The higher the motivation for volunteers, the higher their overall self-efficacy
4.Volunteers motivated by social services have a higher overall self-efficacy, especially in achieving tasks and solving difficulties.
5.Volunteers who are motivated by values identification have higher self-awareness and adaptation, having better recognition to their self-achievement, and adapt to change with mature attitude. Their interactions with others are also more harmonious.

Recommendations were made for AALCs, older adult educator and MoE. Participants can understand the motivation of voluntary service and self-efficacy of middle-aged and older volunteers, the influence of participation motivation on self-efficacy, and the strategies for promoting volunteer self-efficacy by this research.

Keywords:

Volunteer, Motivations, Self-Efficacy, Middle-Aged and Older Adults.