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Young People’s Social Engagement: Personal Motivations and Social Networks

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Abstract

This study focuses on the role of individuals’ social networks and motivations in predicting their intention to participate socially. In an online survey, university students (N = 263) estimated the likelihood of their future participation in several types of civic and political activity and evaluated their possible motivations. Participants also indicated approximately how many of their social contacts were already involved in each type of participation, with this measure being used to calculate their degree centrality in social networks. Multiple linear regression analyses revealed that motivations and social contacts were significant predictors of intention to engage in most forms of civic and political activity studied. Social contacts were more decisive in predicting political than civic participation. We also found that personal motivations mediated the relationship between social contacts and intention to participate in all cases except joining a political party. We discuss the results in light of their theoretical and practical implications.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Social Anthropology and Social Psychology Department, Faculty of Political Science and Sociology, Complutense University of Madrid, Campus de Somosaguas, s/n, 28223, Madrid, Spain

    María Celeste Dávila & Anna Zlobina

  2. University Carlos III of Madrid, Madrid, Spain

    Gloria Álvarez-Hernández

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  1. María Celeste Dávila
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  2. Anna Zlobina
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  3. Gloria Álvarez-Hernández
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Correspondence to María Celeste Dávila.

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Faculty of Political Science and Sociology (UCM) does not have an Ethical Committee Approval at the moment. You can check this by contacting the Research Vice-dean (https://politicasysociologia.ucm.es/equipo-gobierno, leticiamaria.ruiz@cps.ucm.es,). We do not have an alternative or equivalent service to obtain approval in this regard. In any case, the authors declare and confirm that the APA Ethical Principles of Psychologists and Code of Conduct (https://www.apa.org/ethics/code/ethics-code-2017.pdf) and Declaration of Helsinki (https://www.wma.net/policies-post/wma-declaration-of-helsinki-ethical-principles-for-medical-research-involving-human-subjects/) have been followed. The publisher is reminded that the manuscript does not capture an experimental study, but rather a study that is based on the use of a survey, where participants were previously informed about its objectives, signed an informed consent, collaborated voluntarily, and the anonymity of their responses was ensured. The study had no implications for public health or general welfare.

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Appendix: Adaptation of the Volunteer Functions Inventory

Appendix: Adaptation of the Volunteer Functions Inventory

Social

Being with people who have the same concerns as me

Relating to other socially engaged or active people

Understanding

Learning things through direct experience that involves social participation

Gaining a new perspective on things

Learning more about a specific cause

Enhancement

Feeling calmer and more at peace

Feeling better about myself

Protective

Forgetting about my own problems

Feeling less alone

Helping myself to solve my own personal problems

Career

Exploring different career options

It may be useful in my professional life

Improving my résumé

Values

Lessening injustice and the suffering of others

Providing support and assistance to those in need

Self-concept

Because this activity or similar ones are an important part of my life

Because this activity or similar ones are an important part of myself

Because it is part of my lifestyle

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Dávila, M.C., Zlobina, A. & Álvarez-Hernández, G. Young People’s Social Engagement: Personal Motivations and Social Networks. Voluntas 33, 587–598 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11266-021-00355-5

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