Psychometric Properties of the Persian Version of Volunteer Functions Inventory

The aim of this study was to investigate the psychometric properties of the Persian version of Volunteer Functions Inventory (VFI) in Iran. This tool has six factors. This tool was completed by 348 Iranian participants. The results of exploratory factor analysis supported the four-factor structure of the questions, and these four factors in order of importance respectively were: personal growth, social interest, construction of social and professional image, and influence of social groups. The adaptation of the exploratory factor structure to the main model of the instrument showed that the fourth factor, i.e., the social factor, was equally relevant in the Iranian population and the items related to other factors were appropriate with a combination of the original model factors. Confirmatory factor analysis with four-factor and six-factor models also showed that the data with four-factor model provide better fit indices. The reliability of the factors was ranged from 0.84 to 0.92. Also, the positive and significant correlation between volunteer function inventory and Basic empathy scale supported the convergent validity of this inventory. It seems that the Persian version of the inventory of volunteer functions with four factors can better evaluate the functions of volunteers among the Iranian population.