Volunteerism among Undergraduates: Examining the Predictive Roles of Perceived Social Support and Self-Esteem

Abstract

The contemporary landscape of university education underscores the importance of holistic development among undergraduates such as the inculcation of the sense of volunteerism. Over the years volunteerism has emerged as a significant avenue for personal and social growth, particularly within the university setting. Studies have used different predictors to explore volunteerism with varying results. Therefore, this study examined the predictive ability of perceived social support and self-esteem on volunteerism among undergraduates in a Nigerian university. The study adopted a cross-sectional survey design while a purposive sampling technique was used to select years 1 and 2 undergraduates. Data were collected from 300 undergraduates using validated scales and analyzed using zero-order correlation statistics and multiple regression analysis to test two hypotheses at a p < .05 level of significance. The result showed that perceived social support significantly correlated with volunteerism among undergraduates. Also, perceived social support and self-esteem jointly predicted volunteerism among study participants. Finally, perceived social support independently predicted volunteerism among undergraduates. The study concluded that perceived social support rather than self-esteem is a more robust predictor of volunteerism among study participants. It is recommended that the university authority and other stakeholders should put enabling policies in place to encourage undergraduates to embrace volunteerism as a way of life.