O. A. Basheva, A. V. Nevsky, N. S. Voronina, P. O. Ermolaeva, S. O. Gomanova, Yu. V. Ermolaeva, A. A. Grechanaya. Distinctive Features of Organized Rescue Volunteering in Russia

UDК 364.42(470+571)

doi: 10.15507/2413-1407.124.031.202303.564-583

Abstract

Introduction. This article presents the results of the first comprehensive study on volunteer participation in the field of rescue work in modern Russia. The study utilized data collected through an online survey of volunteers from rescue organizations to examine the socio-demographic characteristics of volunteers, their motives and values, the experiences they gained, and their perspectives on various aspects of volunteering and rescue activities. The objective of this study is to identify the distinct features of civic participation in this field.

Materials and Methods. The study has relied on the findings of a large-scale online survey of Russian volunteers. Descriptive statistical methods were employed to analyze the data, including frequency analysis and contingency tables using the Chi-square criterion. These methods were particularly useful in characterizing the socio-demographic profile of volunteers, their most common practices, and their motivational structure. Additionally, the method of value portraiture by S. Schwartz was used to identify the value structure of rescue volunteers, while a comparison of average values was conducted. To investigate the predictors of volunteer activity termination, the study applied binary logistic regression procedures.

Results. The study has identified several characteristics of volunteers in the field of rescue work. Volunteers tend to have a higher social status, holding positions in the professional hierarchy comparable to mid- and top-level specialists. They also tend to have a university degree, an above-average income, a family, children, and personal transportation. The study has also found that the organization plays a significant role in the continued participation and self-identification of volunteers. Conflicts within the community emerge as the primary predictor of volunteer disengagement, along with factors such as income decrease, family circumstances, and changes in personal interests.

Discussion and Conclusion. The study has highlighted the challenge of distinguishing between collective and reflexive styles of participation in rescue volunteering. Further research is needed to understand the role of the organizational factor in shaping the professional and moral development of rescue volunteers, by analyzing entry into and continuation of volunteer participation over time, as well as exploring qualitative data on participation in rescue organizations. Practically, the findings presented in this article can be utilized by volunteer and rescue organizations to engage volunteers in rescue work, enhance motivation among existing volunteers, and establish guidelines and recommendations for collaboration between volunteers and official services.

Keywords: volunteer search and rescue teams, motivation and value structures of volunteer rescuers, professionalization of volunteer work, rescue volunteering, social and demographic profile of rescue volunteers, reasons for discontinuing rescue volunteering, self-identification of volunteers

Conflict of interests. The authors declare that there is no conflict of interest.

Funding. The study was carried out within the framework of the project “Emergency volunteering as a reply to the natural and technological challenges in Russia” and supported by the Russian Science Foundation (grant No. 19-78-10052).

For citation: Basheva O.A., Nevsky A.V., Voronina N.S., et al. Distinctive Features of Organized Rescue Volunteering in Russia. Russian Journal of Regional Studies. 2023;31(3):564–583. https://doi.org/10.15507/2413-1407.124.031.202303.564-583

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Submitted 31.01.2023; revised 27.03.2023; accepted 06.04.2023.

About the authors:

Olga A. Basheva, Cand. Sci. (Sociol.), Senior Researcher, Institute of Sociology – Branch of the Federal Center of Theoretical and Applied Sociology of the Russian Academy of Sciences (5 bld. 1 Bolshaya Andron’evskaya St., Moscow 109544, Russian Federation), ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1459-0091, olgaausacheva@yandex.ru

Andrey V. Nevsky, Junior Researcher, Institute of Sociology – Branch of the Federal Center of Theoretical and Applied Sociology of the Russian Academy of Sciences (5 bld. 1 Bolshaya Andron’evskaya St., Moscow 109544, Russian Federation), ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1206-8569, anevskij@gmail.com

Natalya S. Voronina, Cand. Sci. (Sociol.), Senior Researcher, Institute of Sociology – Branch of the Federal Center of Theoretical and Applied Sociology of the Russian Academy of Sciences (5 bld. 1 Bolshaya Andron’evskaya St., Moscow 109544, Russian Federation), ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8859-6803, navor@bk.ru

Polina O. Ermolaeva, Cand. Sci. (Sociol.), Researcher, Institute of Sociology – Branch of the Federal Center of Theoretical and Applied Sociology of the Russian Academy of Sciences (5 Bld. 1 Bolshaya Andron’evskaya St., Moscow 109544, Russian Federation); Associate Professor, Center of Advanced Economic Research in the Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Tatarstan (23/6 Karl Marks St., Kazan 420111, Russian Federation), ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7522-9537, polina.ermolaeva@gmail.com

Silvia O. Gomanova, Cand. Sci. (Sociol.), Researcher, Institute of Sociology – Branch of the Federal Center of Theoretical and Applied Sociology of the Russian Academy of Sciences (5 bld. 1 Bolshaya Andron’evskaya St., Moscow 109544, Russian Federation); Associate Professor, Mendeleev University of Chemical Technology (9 Bld. 1 Miusskaya Sq., Moscow 125047, Russian Federation), ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0192-8404, silvia_gomanova@mail.ru

Yulia V. Ermolaeva, Researcher, Institute of Sociology – Branch of the Federal Center of Theoretical and Applied Sociology of the Russian Academy of Sciences (5 bld. 1 Bolshaya Andron’evskaya St., Moscow 109544, Russian Federation), ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7421-2044, mistelfrayard@mail.ru

Anna A. Grechanaya, Master of Science in Sociology, Senior Research Laboratory Assistant with Higher Education, Institute of Sociology – Branch of the Federal Center of Theoretical and Applied Sociology of the Russian Academy of Sciences (5 bld. 1 Bolshaya Andron’evskaya St., Moscow 109544, Russian Federation), ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9430-8097, njuta-gel@yandex.ru

Contribution of the authors:

O. A. Basheva – scientific management; development of methodology; data collection; initial text preparation; formalized data analysis; analysis and revision of the text.

A. V. Nevsky – development of methodology; initial text preparation; data collection; formalized data analysis; visualization of data in the text.

N. S. Voronina – development of methodology; formalized data analysis; initial text preparation.

P. O. Ermolaeva – data collection; formalized data analysis; initial text preparation.

S. O. Gomanova – data collection; formalized data analysis; initial text preparation.

Yu. V. Ermolaeva – data collection; formalized data analysis; initial text preparation.

A. A. Grechanaya – data collection; formalized data analysis.

The authors have read and approved the final version of the manuscript.