Frgelcová, Estera2026-03-202026-03-2020251335-3608https://doi.org/10.31577/cas.2025.02.638https://repo.umb.sk/handle/123456789/1349In: Človek a spoločnosť = Individual and society : internetový časopis pre pôvodné teoretické a výskumné štúdie z oblasti spoločenských vied. Košice : Centrum spoločenských a psychologických vied SAV, 2025. ISSN 1335-3608. Roč. 28, č. 2 (2025), s. [1-17].Background: The nature of volunteering is undergoing a transformation that has been described as a shift from a “traditional” collectivist to a “reflexive” individualistic style, which affects the motivational structure of volunteers. Objective: This research aims to analyse the motivation for formal volunteering in relation to the selected variables: frequency, length, and intensity of volunteering, membership in an organisation, within the framework of traditional and reflexive volunteering styles (Frič & Pospíšilová, 2010; Hustinx & Lammertyn, 2003). Methods: Quantitative research on motivation for formal volunteering is based on the multifactorial VFI/Volunteer Functions Inventory model, which measures six motivational factors: values, protection, social, career, understanding, and enhancement (Clary et al., 1998). Data collection was carried out in 2023 using a quota sampling method on a representative Slovak sample of 1,020 respondents, of whom 349 were involved in formal volunteering, and 671 were not. This research worked with a sample of 349 Slovak volunteers aged 18 to 82 (M = 47.23, SD = 15.37, women = 187, men = 162). Results: Descriptive results indicated the dominance of value motivation, followed by enhancement and understanding motivations. Correlational and comparative analyses of motivation to volunteer indicate several significant relationships. Volunteers who engage in the activity regularly (at least once a month) show significantly higher motivation in almost all areas: values, career, social, understanding, and enhancement. The intensity of involvement over the past four weeks was related to career, social, understanding, and enhancement motivation. In contrast, the length of volunteering (short-term vs. long-term involvement) did not show significant differences in motivational profile. Membership in an organisation was associated with a higher level of motivation in values, social, and understanding. Discussion and conclusion: The research results show that patterns of traditional and reflective volunteering styles in the context of the selected variables often overlap, creating hybrid motivational profiles that combine altruism with self-development, social connections, or career benefits. The results may be helpful for organisations in managing volunteers.enCC BY Creative Commons Attribution 4.0. Internationalinfo:eu-repo/semantics/openAccessformálne dobrovoľníctvomotiváciamotivationvoľný časleisureleisure timefree timečlenstvodobrovoľnícke organizácieArticle