Political volunteering from late adolescence to young adulthood: Patterns and predictors

Political and general volunteering were characterized in late adolescence and young adulthood and related to predictive factors from infancy, childhood, and adolescence. One hundred five White participants (48 boys) completed measures of their volunteer involvement at 18 and 21 years of age. In addition, cognitive, social, adjustment, stress, and family data were collected from infancy through adolescence. Results indicated that most adolescents are involved in at least one volunteer activity. From 18 to 21 years of age, the likelihood of volunteering in a political activity increases significantly. In examining predictors of volunteering, results indicate that the strongest relations with volunteering are shown by adolescent factors including cognitive ability, family coherence, and membership in a prosocial organization (such as the Boy Scouts). Results support the notion that the social structure may be modified to provide incentives that increase volunteering.