Young and older caregivers at homeless animal and human shelters: Selfish and selfless motives in helping others

In the present study, young (n = 34) and older (n = 70) adult volunteers at either animal (n = 48) or human (n = 56) homeless shelters were asked to c omplete measures of caregiver stress/satisfaction volunteer motives, and so cial desirability. Young compared to older volunteers assisting animals, bu t not humans, reported a significantly higher caseload and spending signifi cantly more time per visit with their clients. In addition, young volunteer s reported significantly higher levels of caregiver stress with humans more than animals. Also volunteers at human (but not animal) homeless shelters claimed the need for meeting social expectations as a motive for community service. Furthermore, younger compared to older volunteers reported gaining relevant career experience, obtaining a knowledge of the plight of others, relieving aversive emotions, and meeting normative expectations as signifi cant motives for volunteering. These results may have important implication s for recruitment and training of community volunteers at homeless shelters .