Several studies highlighted that engaging in volunteer activities is associated with higher levels of wellbeing (Klar & Kasser, 2009; Meier & Stutzer, 2008). This notwithstanding researchers from various disciplines underline the constant shift from more traditional forms of political participation to civic participation (Dalton, 2007; Miller & Shanks, 1996; Zukin, Keeter, Andolina, Jenkins, & Delli Carpini, 2006). Hence enhancement of political participation is a central issue for current institutions, in the face of the rising distrust in political organizations as traditional parties recorded in many countries. Focusing on the perceived quality of participatory experience gained an increasing importance in scientific debate, in order to detect the most effective constructs and tools to study this field (Mannarini, 2010; Mannarini, Fedi, & Trippetti, 2010). The aim of this study is to apply the Flow Theory (Csikszentmihalyi, 1975/2000) to the political domain, in order to explore the characteristics of optimal experience in such activities and to spot the key aspects able to foster political participation among citizens. Data were collected with an online survey among 224 political activists, mainly from Lombardia region. Participants completed an adapted version of Flow Questionnaire (FQ) (Csikszentmihalyi, 1996), providing information on activities associated with flow, and Flow State Scale (FSS) (Jackson & Marsh, 1996; Muzio, 2004), exploring separately the role of the nine dimensions composing flow, along with a set of items built to explore the characteristics of political participation enacted (e.g. frequency, role in the political group, length of involvement). Results of FQ showed that 71.5% of participants recognizing flow lived it in political activities. Moreover optimal experience is related to increased frequency of such activities (χ2 (3) = 19.82, p < .001) and higher roles in the group (χ2 (3) = 24.93, p < .001). Among the activities cited as sources of flow, politics appeared to be one of the most frequently reported (14.56%), following work/study (28.48%) and leisure (24.05%). Most mentioned activities referred to electoral campaigns (24.79%), debates (21.49%) and organizational tasks (17.36%). The analyses performed on FSS highlighted the important role of specific flow dimensions, being them “challenge-skill balance”, “clear goals” “concentration on task” and “autotelic experience”. Correlation analyses showed that scores of “action-awareness merging” (p < .05), “time transformation” (p < .01) and “autotelic experience” (p < .001) were negatively associated with age. Flow turns out to be a useful lens to observe political activism. Its presence supports the development of a process of cultural selection that leads people to engage in politics. Hence they identify in politics their own life theme, finally becoming activists. As long as the political domain is able to nourish intrinsic motivation among citizens, it will maintain its capability to attract new volunteers.

Flow as a measure of political engagement / M. Boffi. ((Intervento presentato al convegno 6th European Conference on Positive Psychology tenutosi a Moscow nel 2012.

Flow as a measure of political engagement

M. Boffi
2012

Abstract

Several studies highlighted that engaging in volunteer activities is associated with higher levels of wellbeing (Klar & Kasser, 2009; Meier & Stutzer, 2008). This notwithstanding researchers from various disciplines underline the constant shift from more traditional forms of political participation to civic participation (Dalton, 2007; Miller & Shanks, 1996; Zukin, Keeter, Andolina, Jenkins, & Delli Carpini, 2006). Hence enhancement of political participation is a central issue for current institutions, in the face of the rising distrust in political organizations as traditional parties recorded in many countries. Focusing on the perceived quality of participatory experience gained an increasing importance in scientific debate, in order to detect the most effective constructs and tools to study this field (Mannarini, 2010; Mannarini, Fedi, & Trippetti, 2010). The aim of this study is to apply the Flow Theory (Csikszentmihalyi, 1975/2000) to the political domain, in order to explore the characteristics of optimal experience in such activities and to spot the key aspects able to foster political participation among citizens. Data were collected with an online survey among 224 political activists, mainly from Lombardia region. Participants completed an adapted version of Flow Questionnaire (FQ) (Csikszentmihalyi, 1996), providing information on activities associated with flow, and Flow State Scale (FSS) (Jackson & Marsh, 1996; Muzio, 2004), exploring separately the role of the nine dimensions composing flow, along with a set of items built to explore the characteristics of political participation enacted (e.g. frequency, role in the political group, length of involvement). Results of FQ showed that 71.5% of participants recognizing flow lived it in political activities. Moreover optimal experience is related to increased frequency of such activities (χ2 (3) = 19.82, p < .001) and higher roles in the group (χ2 (3) = 24.93, p < .001). Among the activities cited as sources of flow, politics appeared to be one of the most frequently reported (14.56%), following work/study (28.48%) and leisure (24.05%). Most mentioned activities referred to electoral campaigns (24.79%), debates (21.49%) and organizational tasks (17.36%). The analyses performed on FSS highlighted the important role of specific flow dimensions, being them “challenge-skill balance”, “clear goals” “concentration on task” and “autotelic experience”. Correlation analyses showed that scores of “action-awareness merging” (p < .05), “time transformation” (p < .01) and “autotelic experience” (p < .001) were negatively associated with age. Flow turns out to be a useful lens to observe political activism. Its presence supports the development of a process of cultural selection that leads people to engage in politics. Hence they identify in politics their own life theme, finally becoming activists. As long as the political domain is able to nourish intrinsic motivation among citizens, it will maintain its capability to attract new volunteers.
2012
Settore M-PSI/05 - Psicologia Sociale
Flow as a measure of political engagement / M. Boffi. ((Intervento presentato al convegno 6th European Conference on Positive Psychology tenutosi a Moscow nel 2012.
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/2434/231497
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