Kritische Lebensereignisse und die Aufnahme freiwilligen Engagements bei Erwachsenen

Volunteering is a central way of societal participation and provides and important opportunity of lifelong learning. However, the role of volunteering for coping with critical life incidents as a potential learning space remain not investigated so far. By the biographical embedding of so far isolated motives such a consideration could lead to a deeper understanding of the basics to start volunteering. Referring to motivational and transformative theories, I empirically examine the relationship between critical incidents and the decision for volunteering. Based on an explorative, qualitative content analysis of nine episodic interviews I identify three different types of coping with critical life incidents through volunteering. Finally, results will be discussed referring to existing evidence.