VOLUNTARISM AND ITS RELATION WITH PSYCHOSOCIAL WELL-BEING OF COMMUNITIES LIVING IN DIRE DAWA CITY ADMINISTRATION

Abstract

Volunteerism refers to helping groups, individuals and communities without a financial gain. However, the status and contribution of voluntarism practices to the psychosocial well-being of the volunteered is not adequately studied in Ethiopia. Thus, the main guiding research question for this study was: Voluntarism and its relation with the Psychosocial Well-being of Communities living in Dire Dawa City Administration. A quantitative methodology supported the purpose of this study through applying a descriptive research design. Stratified sampling was employed to select participants and data were gathered from 228 participants. Through questionnaires and the final data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Explanatory narration and regression to determine the potential relationships between the independent and dependent variables in the study. This study forwarded implications for policy advocacy, organizational consideration and social work. . Is was assumed that organizations and key stakeholders may benefit from this research by gaining a better understanding of the status and role of voluntarism practices which supports the realization of enhanced service quality. Furthermore, the role of other factors to psychosocial well-being and the focus of organizations to foster the advancement of voluntarism practices is mentioned as implication for future study.The principal findings of this study were practices of voluntarism have got a high status of application and played a significant role in both psychological and social well being of the community in the sense that the more quality service is delivered, the more beneficiaries are presented with opportunities of psychosocial transformation