Factors Associated With Volunteering Among Racial/Ethnic Groups: Findings From the California Health Interview Survey

Summary

Published Date: December 15, 2015

​Authors investigated how volunteering was influenced by individual resources and social capital among four racial/ethnic groups of adults ages 50 and older, using data from the 2011-2012 California Health Interview Survey. The statewide sample includes non-Hispanic whites (18,927), non-Hispanic Asians (2,428), non-Hispanic Blacks (1,265), and Hispanics (3,799). Compared to whites, racial/ethnic minority adults volunteered less. Although education was a significant predictor of volunteering across all groups, the findings indicated group-specific factors related to human and social capital. The findings underscore the importance of understanding ways of creating inclusive opportunities for civic engagement among an increasingly diverse population.