Barriers to volunteering in the field of intellectual disability: a cluster analysis

Abstract

This paper aims to characterise the profiles of individuals likely to feel discouraged to volunteer in the field of intellectual disability. The socio-emotional contours of intellectual disability hinder the involvement of volunteers in this field. There is evidence of the particular barriers to volunteering in activities involving intellectually disabled people, but there is a dearth of research on the characteristics of individuals that mention such barriers. A survey applied to 197 individuals allowed, through latent classes, to identify three clusters of individuals—assuming volunteering as having a negative impact; unawareness of the reality of intellectual disability; and no barriers to volunteering; and three groups of barriers to volunteering in the field of intellectual disability—characteristics of intellectually disabled people; awareness; introversion. Based on the characteristics of the clusters identified, the study addresses possible strategies to overcome the constraints, aiming at involving volunteers in activities targeting individuals with intellectual impairments and to better target the recruitment of volunteering actions in this field. The continuous understanding of barriers to donate time can allow institutions to minimise constraints and overcome hurdles by emphasising the value of experiences that meet the motivations of volunteers.