Om Ideellt engagemang och dess betydelse för yrkesrollen

Sammanfattning: The aim of this study was to reach a better understanding of voluntary work and its possible influence on the work role. Based on a phenomenological approach, five voluntary workers from the leisure field were interviewed. The interpretation of the empirical data was based on the Humanistic psychology and its theories about personality, self-realization, motivation and emotion. The results show that the motive behind the voluntary engagement varied amongst the participants and all of them stated more than one motive. However, social motives, wanting to learn more and develop their skills and also wanting to help others, were the most frequent motives among the participants. In the light of the theoretical background for this study, these motives can be understood as being due to the need of self-realization and appreciation from others, and also a wish to reach an ideal self. Existential angst could also lie behind the participants tendency to take on responsibilities and also their general need of control in their lives. The results also showed that for the participants, the voluntary engagement had significance for other roles in life, such as the work role. All participants stated that they had found their acquired knowledge and experiences from the voluntary work useful in their daily jobs. Strengthened self-esteem and important skills and experience from the voluntary engagement proved to be of use in the work role.