Factors influencing college students’ willingness to participate in sports-based disability assistance volunteer services

Lin, Yunxiang; Yan, Lingyan; Shen, Zifeng · 2026 · DOAJ

DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2026.1728609

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Summary

This study investigates the psychological mechanisms driving college students’ willingness to participate in sports-based disability assistance volunteer services. Motivated by the growing rehabilitation needs of China’s large disabled population and the critical role of university students in providing such support, the research addresses a gap in existing literature, which has largely focused on the experiences of people with disabilities rather than the motivational factors of volunteers. The authors aim to elucidate how cognitive understanding and psychological evaluations shape students' intentions to engage in these specific volunteer activities. To address this, the researchers constructed an Extended Theory of Planned Behavior (ETPB) model, incorporating "Level of Awareness" as a core antecedent variable alongside traditional TPB constructs: Behavioral Attitude, Subjective Norms, and Perceptual-Behavioral Control. Data were collected via an online questionnaire from 697 students (677 valid responses) majoring in Physical Education and Social Work at a university in Fujian Province, China. The instrument measured five dimensions using a 5-point Likert scale. Structural equation modeling (SEM) and mediation analysis were conducted using Mplus to test the hypothesized relationships, with reliability and validity confirmed through high Cronbach’s alpha coefficients (overall α = 0.97) and strong fit indices (RMSEA = 0.06, CFI = 0.95). The results demonstrated that Level of Awareness significantly and directly influenced Willingness to Participate. Furthermore, Awareness positively predicted Behavioral Attitude (β = 0.34), Subjective Norms (β = 0.43), and Perceptual-Behavioral Control (β = 0.74). These three TPB constructs, in turn, significantly predicted Willingness to Participate, with Behavioral Attitude (β = 0.31) and Subjective Norms (β = 0.30) showing slightly stronger effects than Perceptual-Behavioral Control (β = 0.25). The analysis confirmed that Behavioral Attitude, Subjective Norms, and Perceptual-Behavioral Control partially mediate the relationship between Level of Awareness and participation willingness. The study concludes that Level of Awareness is a pivotal antecedent for stimulating behavioral intention in this context. By bridging the gap between knowledge and action, awareness shapes students' evaluations, social perceptions, and self-efficacy, thereby enhancing their willingness to volunteer. These findings provide theoretical insights into the motivational mechanisms of sports volunteering and offer practical guidance for universities and social organizations. Specifically, interventions aimed at increasing students' awareness of the complexity and urgency of sports-based disability assistance can effectively mobilize youth volunteers, promoting social inclusion and sustainable support for people with disabilities.

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