Community resiliency as a measure of collective health status: perspectives from rural communities

Can J Nurs Res. 2008 Dec;40(4):92-110.

Abstract

Community resiliency is a theoretical framework useful for describing the process used by communities to address adversity. A mixed-method 2-year case study was conducted to gather information about community resiliency in 2 rural communities. This article focuses on the themes generated from qualitative interviews with 55 members of these communities. The participants viewed community as a place of interdependence and interaction. The majority saw community resiliency as the ability to address challenges. Characteristics included physical and social infrastructure, population characteristics, conceptual characteristics, and problem-solving processes. Barriers included negative individual attitudes and lack of infrastructure in rural communities. Nurses could play a key role in enhancing the resiliency of rural communities by developing and implementing programs based on the Community Resiliency Model, which was supported in this study.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adaptation, Psychological*
  • Adult
  • Alberta
  • Attitude to Health*
  • Community Participation* / methods
  • Community Participation* / psychology
  • Female
  • Group Processes
  • Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice
  • Health Status*
  • Humans
  • Interpersonal Relations
  • Leadership
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Models, Psychological
  • Nursing Methodology Research
  • Problem Solving
  • Qualitative Research
  • Residence Characteristics / statistics & numerical data
  • Rural Population* / statistics & numerical data
  • Social Identification
  • Social Support