2134/10120208.v1
Pam Wicker
Pam
Wicker
Paul Downward
Paul
Downward
The causal effect of voluntary roles in sport on subjective well-being in European countries
Loughborough University
2019
Sport, Leisure & Tourism
Commercial Services
Community sport
Europe
Satisfaction
Sports services
Volunteers
2019-11-04 10:01:39
Journal contribution
https://repository.lboro.ac.uk/articles/journal_contribution/The_causal_effect_of_voluntary_roles_in_sport_on_subjective_well-being_in_European_countries/10120208
This study examines the causal effect of different voluntary roles in sport on individuals’
subjective well-being. Theoretically, volunteering can affect well-being through various
mechanisms, including enjoyment, new contacts, skill development, exercising altruism, and
relational goods. The empirical analysis uses data from 28 European countries (n=52,957).
Subjective well-being is measured with self-reported life satisfaction. The number of
administrative roles (e.g. board or committee member, administrative tasks), sport-related
roles (e.g. coach, instructor, referee), and operational roles (e.g. organise a sport event,
provide transport) capture volunteering. The results of linear regression models support the
positive relationship between volunteering and subjective well-being as evident in existing
research. However, instrumental variable estimates reveal that only the number of operational
roles has a significant positive effect on well-being, while the effects of administrative and
sport-related roles are jointly significantly negative. The findings of this study have
implications for sport organisations and policy makers.