Volunteering in Transition: Psychological Motivations Across Traditional, Episodic, and Digital Forms

Episodic and digital forms of engagement have been marking volunteering as in transition. Individuals tend to engage in volunteering activities in multiple ways other than traditional volunteering, that is, an enduring activity, long-term and organization-centred volunteering. While episodic volunteering refers to occasional forms of engagement, digital volunteering represents the new avenue of engagement via information technologies and the internet. This research examines how motivations to start and maintain engagement differ among individuals across various volunteering forms. We did so by conducting a qualitative study based on nine focus groups involving 67 volunteers (age mean = 44, 45% female). Reflexive thematic analysis confirms the applicability of functionalist motivations yet identifies emergent motives unique to each volunteering form. Traditional and digital volunteers initiate volunteering for social change, whereas episodic volunteers prioritize practical engagement. Regarding sustained commitment, traditional volunteers emphasize organizational belonging, episodic volunteers focus on perceived community impact, and digital volunteers prioritize autonomy and personal growth. These results demonstrate how the evolving landscape of volunteerism reflects shifts in individual motivations, contributing new insights to social and community psychology.