Factors that influence the continuation and discontinuation of adult volunteer leaders in the Iowa 4-H program

The purpose of the study was to examine rewards that influence the continuation or discontinuation of adult volunteer leaders with the Iowa 4-H program. The social exchange theory was used as a theoretical framework. Data were obtained from 4-H volunteer leaders participating between October 1980 and October 1983. Respondents were categorized as continuing (150) and discontinued (150). Discriminant analysis and t-tests were used to analyze the data. Education, sex, amount of influence in 4-H, social approval, job satisfaction and career development were not significantly different between continuing and discontinuing volunteers. In fact, none of the rewards was a contributing factor to the volunteer's decision to stay or leave. Results did not support the basic assumption of social exchange theories which hypothesize that people enter into relationships because of the rewards which can accrue from it.