NCJ Number
226616
Journal
International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology Volume: 53 Issue: 2 Dated: April 2009 Pages: 191-210
Date Published
April 2009
Length
20 pages
Annotation
This study measured clients’ (youth at risk) perceptions of “altruism” (selfless attitude) in volunteers who worked with them at drop-in centers in Israel.
Abstract
The study found that the youth (n=179) in the study perceived the volunteers as true altruists, whose actions were not governed by the typical motives of self-interest and material reward. Encountering people motivated by true altruism was surprising for the youth and influenced their perception that such individuals do exist and care about them independent of any material gain such as an occupational salary. Consequently, volunteers provide a living example of a community that cares about and provides services to the youth unconditionally. Thus, volunteers provide an experience for youth at risk that is significantly different from that provided by paid workers, in that they can experience interactions with individuals who genuinely care about what happens to them. The research was conducted simultaneously in seven drop-in centers throughout Israel, with one acting as a pilot site where various research tools were preliminarily tested. The research tools included semistructured indepth interviews with volunteers and paid employees; nonparticipant observations, following a guide; case studies; and a client questionnaire. The latter measured the kind of help clients had received at the center, the perceived contribution of the volunteers in 8 areas, 19 statements of general attitudes toward volunteers and volunteering, 5 statements about satisfaction in general with the work of the adult and youth volunteers, and 6 statements about satisfaction with the youth volunteers. 5 tables and 56 references