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

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