Exploring Identity Transformation and Meaning-Making Among Volunteers in Post-Disaster Community Service Programs in Indonesia
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Abstract
Community service plays a crucial role in fostering social resilience and collective recovery, particularly in post-disaster contexts where volunteers actively contribute to rebuilding affected communities. Despite its significance, little is known about how volunteers construct meaning, redefine their identities, and navigate emotional challenges during community engagement. Previous studies have predominantly emphasized the functional or outcome-based contributions of volunteerism, leaving a research gap in understanding its deeper psychosocial and identity-related dimensions. This study addresses this gap by asking: How do volunteers experience identity transformation and derive personal meaning from their involvement in post-disaster community service programs? To investigate this, an Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) approach was employed, focusing on volunteers’ lived experiences to uncover the underlying meaning-making processes shaping their engagement. Data were collected through semi-structured, in-depth interviews with twelve volunteers participating in community service initiatives in Central Java. The use of IPA highlights methodological rigor in capturing subjective narratives, which are often overlooked in outcome-driven frameworks. Thematic analysis identified three interconnected findings: volunteers reconstructed their social identities, balanced emotional vulnerability and resilience, and discovered personal meaning and purpose through service. Rather than merely presenting results, these findings are interpreted as evidence of community service operating as a transformative process that fosters psychological adaptation and deeper social connectedness. Overall, this study contributes by extending the understanding of the psychosocial dimensions of volunteerism, while also demonstrating the value of phenomenological methods in capturing identity transformation and meaning-making processes. The study underscores the importance of designing community service programs that integrate reflective practices to support personal growth. Future research is encouraged to adopt longitudinal and cross-cultural designs to further explore the long-term impacts of transformative volunteer experiences.
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