Fostering resilience and commitment among volunteers: the role of job demands and autonomy

Abstract

Sustaining volunteers’ resilience and commitment is crucial for public and non-profit organizations. Based on job demands–resources theory, this study examines the effect of job demands on the commitment of volunteers and the extent to which resilience and job autonomy mediate and moderate this link. The results of a three-wave study of 504 volunteers in China during a crisis show a positive relationship between job demands and the development of resilience, which is positively associated with commitment. Our moderated mediation analysis suggests that high job autonomy combined with hindrance-type demands enhances volunteers’ commitment by fostering higher levels of resilience.