National Study Finds Social Bonds Key to Volunteer Experience

Organizational support alone doesn't curb burnout without personal connections, research shows.

Apr. 6, 2026 at 1:06pm

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A new national study of over 2,300 women volunteers found that organizational support like training, clear goals, and scheduling flexibility only reduces burnout when volunteers also feel genuinely connected to the people around them. When social connectedness is low, more organizational support is actually linked to higher volunteer role strain.

Why it matters

This research highlights the importance of fostering a sense of community and belonging among volunteers, not just providing logistical support. As women balance competing demands of work, caregiving, and other life responsibilities, maintaining social bonds can be crucial to sustaining long-term volunteer engagement.

The details

The study, conducted by researchers at Western Michigan University and The Association of Junior Leagues International, examined the volunteer experiences of over 2,300 women across the United States. It found that organizational support like training, clear goals, and scheduling flexibility only reduced volunteer burnout when volunteers also felt a strong sense of personal connection to their fellow volunteers and the communities they served. When social connectedness was low, increased organizational support was actually associated with higher levels of volunteer role strain.

  • The study was published on April 6, 2026.

The players

Western Michigan University

A public research university located in Kalamazoo, Michigan.

The Association of Junior Leagues International

A nonprofit organization of women committed to promoting volunteerism, developing the potential of women, and improving communities through the effective action and leadership of trained volunteers.

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The takeaway

As women balance the competing demands of work, caregiving, and other responsibilities, maintaining strong social connections among volunteers can be crucial to sustaining long-term engagement and preventing burnout, even with robust organizational support.