Volunteers in an oncology support organization: Motivation, stress, and satisfactions

Peer-led oncology support services are increasingly important as accessible and affordable adjuncts to medical care. Volunteers involved in these prog rams frequently have experienced cancer, either their own diagnosis or a fa mily member's. This descriptive study explores the motivations, stress, and satisfaction of volunteers working in such a service. Using a framework de veloped by Omoto and Snyder, which identified three stages of the volunteer dynamic-the antecedents, experiences, and consequences-this study identifi ed details about volunteers' motivations, their satisfactions, their relati onship with the organization, and the effects of the work on them. Differen ces in motivations and stress were Found between volunteers who had had a c ancer diagnosis and those who had not. There was a high level of satisfacti on and volunteer continuity, although the more veteran volunteers tended to be less satisfied. Key implications include the importance of a supportive work environment that satisfies motivations and attends to needs of the vo lunteer as well as the clientele. The authors offer suggestions for organiz ational structures that can promote volunteer continuity and thus effective provision of service.