Volunteering for Outgroup Charities: A Cross-Sectional Survey Study on how Affinity and Openness to Diversity Affect Willingness to Volunteer among the American Population

This study concerns willingness to volunteer for non-profit organisations (NPOs), and assesses aspects suspected to account for why people decide to volunteer for a charity. Our study was a cross-sectional survey study among members of the American public (N = 143) and tested whether affinity with an NPO as well as openness to diversity affect willingness to volunteer for an NPO of which one is not a member (an outgroup NPO). We detected, based on a multiple regression analysis, that affinity with an outgroup NPO directly and positively predicts likeability of the NPO while openness to diversity is controlled for. Subsequently, a mediation regression analysis displayed that affinity with an outgroup NPO affects willingness to volunteer indirectly via likeability of the NPO. Moreover, a separate multiple regression analysis showed openness to diversity to directly and positively relate to perspective-taking if controlling for affinity. Yet, as also displayed by a mediation regression...Show moreThis study concerns willingness to volunteer for non-profit organisations (NPOs), and assesses aspects suspected to account for why people decide to volunteer for a charity. Our study was a cross-sectional survey study among members of the American public (N = 143) and tested whether affinity with an NPO as well as openness to diversity affect willingness to volunteer for an NPO of which one is not a member (an outgroup NPO). We detected, based on a multiple regression analysis, that affinity with an outgroup NPO directly and positively predicts likeability of the NPO while openness to diversity is controlled for. Subsequently, a mediation regression analysis displayed that affinity with an outgroup NPO affects willingness to volunteer indirectly via likeability of the NPO. Moreover, a separate multiple regression analysis showed openness to diversity to directly and positively relate to perspective-taking if controlling for affinity. Yet, as also displayed by a mediation regression analysis, openness to diversity does not indirectly relate to willingness to volunteer through perspective-taking. Thus, as a last multiple regression analysis yielded, likeability of an outgroup NPO, but not perspective-taking, directly and positively predicts willingness to volunteer for the NPO. Additionally, a moderation regression analysis indicated that affinity with an outgroup NPO and openness to diversity do not interact to influence likability of the NPO. Theoretical and practical implications, limitations as well as suggestions for future research are discussed.Show less

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Volunteering for Outgroup Charities: A Cross-Sectional Survey Study on how Affinity and Openness to Diversity Affect Willingness to Volunteer among the American Population