Connecting Intentions to Actions: A Review of Personal Motivation and University Students’ Volunteering Behaviors

This review explores the multifaceted relationship between personal motivation, volunteering intention, and actual volunteer behavior among university students. Drawing on theoretical models such as Self-Determination Theory and the Theory of Planned Behavior, the study categorizes personal motivation into six core dimensions: learning to understand, career development, value expression, self-improvement, self-protection, and social interaction. Volunteering intention is positioned as a psychological mediator that translates these motivational drivers into sustained engagement in civic service. Empirical evidence from recent domestic and international studies highlights the diverse forms and frequencies of student volunteering, along with contextual influences such as campus culture, policy support, and emotional resonance. The findings reveal that value-driven and growth-oriented motivations are most predictive of long-term participation. The review also identifies methodological gaps, such as the lack of longitudinal analysis and limited exploration of informal volunteering. Implications are offered for universities and volunteer organizations to enhance student engagement through tailored interventions, recognition systems, and supportive environments. Future research directions call for deeper cross-cultural comparisons and dynamic models of intention evolution.