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Sustainability
Volume 16
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10.3390/su16010327
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Article

The Volunteer Motivation Scale (VMS): Adaptation and Psychometric Properties among a Portuguese Sample of Volunteers

by
Cátia Martins
1,2,*,
Saul Jesus
2,3,
José Tomás da Silva
4,
Conceição Ribeiro
5,6,
Maria Dulce Estêvão
7,
Helena Mocho
1,2,
Elias Ratinho
1,2 and
Cristina Nunes
1,2
1
Psychology Research Centre (CIP), 1169-023 Lisboa, Portugal
2
Faculty of Human and Social Sciences, University of Algarve, Campus of Gambelas, 8005-139 Faro, Portugal
3
Research Centre for Tourism, Sustainability and Well-Being (CinTurs), University of Algarve, Campus of Gambelas, 8005-139 Faro, Portugal
4
Centre for Social Studies, Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, University of Coimbra, 3000-995 Coimbra, Portugal
5
Centre of Statistics and its Applications (CEAUL), Faculty of Sciences, University of Lisboa, 1749-016 Lisboa, Portugal
6
Institute of Engineering, University of Algarve, Campus da Penha, 8005-139 Faro, Portugal
7
School of Health, University of Algarve, Campus of Gambelas, 8005-139 Faro, Portugal
*
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Sustainability 2024, 16(1), 327; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16010327
Submission received: 26 November 2023 / Revised: 14 December 2023 / Accepted: 22 December 2023 / Published: 29 December 2023
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Abstract

Using self-determination theory, this study examined the autonomous motivation and regulatory styles of volunteers. The Volunteer Motivation Scale (VMS) is one of the main instruments available to assess these constructs, but it requires validation and adaptation for different contexts. Therefore, the goal of this study was to analyze the psychometric properties of the 12-item VMS in a sample of Portuguese volunteers. The sample consisted of 207 volunteers, mostly women (74.4%), aged from 14 to 81 years, from various areas of volunteering. The measures included self-regulation, basic psychological needs, causality orientation, and autonomy support. Confirmatory factor analysis using the lavaan package in R was performed to test a four-factor model and a two-factor model. The results indicated that the four-factor model had a better fit to the data. The VMS showed good internal consistency, discriminant validity, and convergent validity. The VMS can be viewed as a valuable tool for professionals and a promising avenue for future research on the motivations of volunteers.
Keywords: motivation to volunteer; volunteering; self-determination theory; autonomous motivation motivation to volunteer; volunteering; self-determination theory; autonomous motivation

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MDPI and ACS Style

Martins, C.; Jesus, S.; da Silva, J.T.; Ribeiro, C.; Estêvão, M.D.; Mocho, H.; Ratinho, E.; Nunes, C. The Volunteer Motivation Scale (VMS): Adaptation and Psychometric Properties among a Portuguese Sample of Volunteers. Sustainability 2024, 16, 327. https://doi.org/10.3390/su16010327

AMA Style

Martins C, Jesus S, da Silva JT, Ribeiro C, Estêvão MD, Mocho H, Ratinho E, Nunes C. The Volunteer Motivation Scale (VMS): Adaptation and Psychometric Properties among a Portuguese Sample of Volunteers. Sustainability. 2024; 16(1):327. https://doi.org/10.3390/su16010327

Chicago/Turabian Style

Martins, Cátia, Saul Jesus, José Tomás da Silva, Conceição Ribeiro, Maria Dulce Estêvão, Helena Mocho, Elias Ratinho, and Cristina Nunes. 2024. "The Volunteer Motivation Scale (VMS): Adaptation and Psychometric Properties among a Portuguese Sample of Volunteers" Sustainability 16, no. 1: 327. https://doi.org/10.3390/su16010327

APA Style

Martins, C., Jesus, S., da Silva, J. T., Ribeiro, C., Estêvão, M. D., Mocho, H., Ratinho, E., & Nunes, C. (2024). The Volunteer Motivation Scale (VMS): Adaptation and Psychometric Properties among a Portuguese Sample of Volunteers. Sustainability, 16(1), 327. https://doi.org/10.3390/su16010327

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