How do online volunteers take care of their health? : Health-preserving practices and behavioral risks

Antonova, Natalya L. and Kulminskaya, Alina V. (2025) How do online volunteers take care of their health? : Health-preserving practices and behavioral risks. CIVIL SZEMLE, 22 (3). pp. 37-54. ISSN 1786-3341

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Abstract

With the development of information technologies the activity of online volunteers, who partially or completely work online, is an important issue (Silva et al. 2018). Modern research has given a positive assessment of the influence of volunteers on people's social well-being and health (Herzog et al. 1998). It was proved that volunteering increases life satisfaction (Jenkinson et al., 2013) and affects self-rated health (de Wit et al. 2022). At the same time, there is almost no research on the health of online volunteers, as well as health care practices and behavioral risks, in scientific sources. In our study, we examined the self-rated health of online volunteers, identified health care practices and health risks. We developed a questionnaire and conducted a quantitative survey of students at the Ural Federal University (Ekaterinburg, Russia). We were guided by a quota type selection and respondents were represented in approximately equal proportions by gender, year of study, and area of professional training. In total, we surveyed 1,170 students. Of these, we selected 614 respondents implementing online volunteering practices. We defined the following criteria to form the sample of respondents. The filter question specified the following types of actions performed on the Internet on a free-of-charge basis: "created/maintained a website for an association or non-profit organization", "published articles/notes on Wikipedia or other resources implemented on the principles of a wiki", "created/moderated thematic groups on social networks", "published a practical video guide on YouTube or other video hosting sites", "gave online consultations or acted as an online expert". We surveyed those students who chose at least one option from the proposed actions. The survey results showed that only 47% of respondents assess their health as good. At the same time, 84% of respondents take care of their health, firstly, placing the monitor screen at a distance of at least 50 cm from the face (61%), implementing ergonomic computer use practices (breaks in working at the computer (55%), reducing the brightness of the monitor screen (53%), and secondly, physical activity (walking at least 3 kilometers – 92%, climbing stairs – 85%, going to a sports club 64%). At the same time, the data showed that in case of information overload, respondents turn to drinking coffee (48%), smoking cigarettes (30%), and energy drinks (31%). Our results can be used to determine criteria for assessing the work of online volunteers and to develop new strategies for preserving the health of online volunteers, shifting the focus from computer hygiene to the prevention of mental stress associated with information overload.

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