Ozorak, E. W. 2003. “Love of God and Neighbor: Religion and Volunteer Service among College Students.” Review of Religious Research 44(3): 285-299.
How is religious commitment related to volunteer service? Ozorak’s survey of undergraduate students at one secular university finds several interesting relationships between measures of religiosity and volunteering. “Intrinsic motivation to volunteer,” which is a powerful indicator of intention to volunteer again, appears to be found more often in individuals who believe in personal prayer and report a personal relationship with God. Ozorak also distinguished women’s results from men’s: although the sexes had similar levels of religiosity, praying and claiming a higher level of religiosity was linked to intention to volunteer only for women. Belief in God is linked to volunteerism for both men and women.
