The relation of neuroticism and social anxiety to willingness to volunteer

Abstract

ABSTRACT Relations between neuroticism, social anxiety, and generic and specific willingness to volunteer were examined among psychology undergraduates (N = 196). Based on previous research and speculation, with each of the willingness to volunteer criteria, and either without or with statistical control for age, sex, and international student status, the following hypotheses were tested: (1) Neuroticism negatively correlates with willingness to volunteer; (2) Social anxiety negatively correlates with willingness to volunteer; (3) Controlling for social anxiety substantially reduces or eliminates the relation between neuroticism and willingness to volunteer; and (4) Controlling for neuroticism does not substantially reduce or eliminate the relation between social anxiety and willingness to volunteer. For generic willingness to volunteer, Hypotheses 1 and 2 were supported with but not without the three demographic controls. For specific willingness to volunteer, both hypotheses were confirmed with or without demographic controls. Hypotheses 3 and 4 also were supported with each criterion.