The relationship between perceived self-efficacy and retention of new hospice volunteers
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As the hospice concept becomes more popular, there is an increased need for hospice volunteers. Hospice volunteer coordinators are seeking methods that will help enhance volunteer recruitment and retention. One screening method that has been used by employment and educational counselors to identify characteristics associated with success is the measurement of self-efficacy.
Studies of hospice volunteer retention have addressed previous volunteer experience, religiosity, and personality type. While there has been consistency in some characteristics as predictors of success, contradicting results exist. An individual's level of comfort around death issues has been suggested as a better predictor than death anxiety. This research study was a prospective cohort study of 181 new hospice volunteers from twenty hospice agencies in the tri-state Delaware Valley who participated in training from May to November 2000.
The purpose of this study was to describe the factors associated with retention of new hospice volunteers. The primary focus was the relationships between general self-efficacy, death-specific self-efficacy and a hospice volunteer's retention in that role. Secondly, the relationships between personal factors, agency and training variables and retention were also assessed.
Results from t-tests revealed significant differences in the mean scores on the General Self-efficacy Scale between the active and inactive groups, with inactive volunteers more likely to have higher scores. Chi-square analysis showed significant differences between active and inactive groups on the number of individuals involved in volunteer training, with the inactive group more likely to have had more individuals involved in training. Logistic regression indicated that agency size and three motivations to volunteer were significant in predicting membership to the active group.
Discussions with a sample of the active and inactive groups identified the reasons for the activity status of the individual. Active volunteers stated that they “felt needed” and were “making a difference” by their volunteering. Inactive volunteers reported that they had experienced changes in personal responsibilities, were working in another area of the agency, or realized that they were not suited to the stress of the volunteer work.
This dissertation has also been disseminated through the ProQuest Dissertations and Theses database. Dissertation/thesis number: 3031519; ProQuest document ID: 251712190. The author still retains copyright.
This item has not gone through this repository's peer-review process, but has been accepted by the indicated university or college in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the specified degree.
| Type | Dissertation |
| Acquisition | Proxy-submission |
| Review Type | None: Degree-based Submission |
| Format | Text-based Document |
| Evidence Level | Cohort |
| Research Approach | Quantitative Research |
| Keywords | Hospice Care; Volunteer Experiences; Retention |
| Grantor | Temple University |
| Advisor | Legos, Patricia; Ma, Grace; Orsi, Allen |
| Level | PhD |
| Year | 2001 |
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