What Drives University Students’ Sustained Participation in Volunteering? A Thematic Analysis from the Ecological Systems Theory (EST) Perspective

Abstract

Background: Understanding the drivers of sustained volunteering among university students is crucial, as their continued participation yields significant individual and societal benefits. However, a notable decline in participation underscores the need to investigate the factors that underpin and sustain volunteering motivation. Methods: Using snowball sampling, 15 university students with volunteer experience were recruited for semi-structured interviews. A thematic analysis, guided by the Ecological Systems Theory (EST), was performed, with the mesosystem excluded from the analytical framework due to its indirect and less observable nature in participants’ self-reports. Results: Based on the interview responses, we identified 15 themes across the four systems (microsystem, exosystem, macrosystem, and chronosystem) influencing university students’ participation in volunteering. We further explored the restrictive factors that hinder their participation. To advance the analysis, we introduced a controllability framework (“controllable, partially controllable, minimally controllable”) as an analytical lens. This framework emphasizes that while behaviors are shaped by various factors, behavior change can be most effectively promoted by focusing intervention efforts on those within the immediate control of the individual or relevant actors. Implications: This study demonstrates the EST’s applicability to university students’ volunteering research and provides practical insights for the design of volunteer programs.