A Systematic Review of Volunteer Motivation and Satisfaction in Disability Sports Organizations

Antonio Muñoz-Llerena, Salvador Angosto (), Carlos Pérez-Campos and Virginia Alcaraz-Rodríguez
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Antonio Muñoz-Llerena: Department of Physical Education and Sports, University of Seville, 41013 Seville, Spain
Salvador Angosto: Department of Physical Education and Sports, University of Seville, 41013 Seville, Spain
Carlos Pérez-Campos: Campus Capacitas, Universidad Católica de Valencia, 46001 Valencia, Spain
Virginia Alcaraz-Rodríguez: Research Group “Social Inclusion, Physical Education and Sport, and European Policies in Research” (HUM-1061), University of Seville, 41013 Seville, Spain

Disabilities, 2025, vol. 5, issue 2, 1-33

Abstract: Volunteering in sports for people with disabilities is a crucial element for social inclusion and development. Therefore, this systematic review aims to analyze the existing literature on the motivation, satisfaction, engagement, and commitment of volunteers in sports for people with disabilities. Following PRISMA guidelines, a comprehensive search was conducted across four databases, the Web of Science, Scopus, PsycInfo, and SportDiscus, resulting in the inclusion of 16 studies. The geographic distribution showed the existence of studies on all continents, particularly in Europe and Asia, and most studies were quantitative. The findings revealed that volunteer motivation was predominantly intrinsic, driven by values, understanding, and personal growth, with less emphasis on extrinsic factors such as career advancement. Satisfaction levels were generally high, particularly among student volunteers, who also showed strong future intentions to continue volunteering. As a conclusion, there was a limited number of studies exclusively focused on volunteers participating in sports for people with disabilities. This review highlights the need for more research on diverse types of disabilities and the development of inclusive policies and training programs to enhance volunteer experiences. The study underscores the importance of recognizing both personal and professional motivators to effectively recruit and retain volunteers in sports organizations supporting people with disabilities.

Keywords: volunteer motivation; disabilities; disabled sports; volunteer satisfaction; sports volunteering; social inclusion; volunteer engagement (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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