Does appreciation matter?

Abstract

This research examines the relationship between appreciation and commitment in a Swiss volunteer population (N=231). It was hypothesised that appreciation is positively linked to affective commitment and that social support and stress mediate this relationship. The data was collected through an online survey, and the hypotheses were tested using correlation and mediation analyses. The results showed that appreciation is positively associated with affective commitment and that social support mediates this relationship. However, stress did not mediate the relationship. The findings suggest that appreciation plays a crucial role in fostering affective commitment among volunteers, primarily through the mediating role of social support. This research contributes to understanding volunteer motivation and offers practical implications for organisations seeking to enhance volunteer engagement and retention.