The Impact of Psychological Distress and Motivation on Happiness Among College Student NGO Volunteers

Abstract

The well-being and motivation of college students is a crucial area of study, particularly in the volunteers. This study focuses on the happiness, psychological distress, and motivational levels of college students who volunteer in Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs). With a quantitative approach, we surveyed 211 college students and NGO volunteers aged 18-24. Standardized scales were used such as the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K-10) for measuring psychological distress, the Subjective Happiness Scale (SHS) for measuring happiness, and the Global Motivation Scale (GMS-28) used to measure various kinds of motivation. Statistical analyses were conducted using Jamovi software. The findings reveal significant correlations between happiness, psychological distress, and motivation among volunteering students. The average happiness score was relatively high (M=17.8). Motivation, especially factors such as intrinsic motivation to know and towards accomplishments shows positive correlations with happiness. Conversely, psychological distress negatively impacted happiness with 30.5%. Extrinsic motivation- identified as positively correlated with happiness and extrinsic motivation- introjected had a negative impact. The study concludes that volunteering enhances happiness and intrinsic motivation among college students but also introduces a higher degree of psychological distress. The mental health support for student volunteers should be provided. Limitations of the study include its cross-sectional design and reliance on self-reported measures which may introduce response bias. Future research should consider focusing on advanced statistical techniques or qualitative study designs to track the reasons and the impact of different types of volunteer activities on psychological well-being. Education institutions and NGOs can develop support systems to mitigate distress and enhance the positive outcomes of volunteering.