Volunteerism

Volunteerism

 

Young Women Volunteerism Variables

Respondents in the Young Women cohort were asked a series of questions about unpaid volunteer work in survey years 1973, 1978, 1988, 1991, 1995, and 2003.  This series included questions about the number of weeks and hours per week spent volunteering, the type of organization (such as hospital, youth organizations, church, civic or political organizations, or schools), and the reasons the respondent gave for volunteering.  In 1991 and 2003, respondents answered additional questions about any activities aimed at changing social conditions (such as working with environmental, consumer, or minority groups). In 1988,  respondents were asked if their volunteer work resulted in finding work for pay. Respondents were asked in 1978 and 1995 about childcare needs for the time volunteered.

In the survey years from 1991 through 2003, respondents answered questions about caregiving: regularly helping with the needs of a relative or a friend inside the household or helping relatives or friends outside the household.

To access these variables, see the "VOLUNTEER WORK" Area of Interest.

Survey Instruments & Documentation: Questions about volunteerism can be found in the "Work Attitudes" section of the questionnaires. Questions about caregiving can be found in the "Health" section of the questionnaires.

 

Mature Women Volunteerism Variables

Respondents in the Mature Women cohort were asked a series of questions about unpaid volunteer work in survey years 1974, 1976, 1979, 1981, 1984, 1987, and 2003.  This series included questions about the number of weeks and hours per week spent volunteering, the type of organization (such as hospital, youth organizations, church, civic or political organizations, or schools), and the reasons the respondent gave for volunteering.  In 1979, respondents rated how much they liked or disliked their activities with the volunteer organization. In 1981 and 1984, respondents answered additional questions about any activities aimed at changing social conditions (such as working with environmental, consumer, or minority groups). In 1979,  respondents were asked if they held an office in the volunteer organization where they worked and if so, which office (president, chair, etc.).

In most of the survey years from 1984 through 2003, respondents answered questions about caregiving: regularly helping with the needs of a relative or a friend inside the household or helping relatives or friends outside the household.

To access these variables, see the "VOLUNTEER WORK" Area of Interest.

Survey Instruments & Documentation: Questions about volunteerism can be found in the "Work Attitudes" section of the questionnaires. Questions about caregiving can be found in the "Health" section of the questionnaires.