Understanding Community Resiliency in Rural Communities through Multimethod Research

Authors

  • Judith C Kulig School of Health Sciences University of Lethbridge
  • Dana S. Edge School of Nursing, Queen's University
  • Brenda Joyce Red Deer College

Abstract

Community resiliency is a theoretical framework and social process that attempts to explain how communities address adversity. Generating information about this concept has largely been accomplished through qualitative research methods and the development of the Resiliency Scale, which was based upon previous qualitative research on the topic. A multimethod study was used to explore community resiliency in two rural communities and one urban neighborhood. In this article we specifically examine: “What are the merits of employing different research methods to explore community resiliency and health status?” Qualitative interviews, a household survey, and analysis of provincial health databases were all used. The understanding of community resiliency as identified from each of these three methods as well as a discussion of the advantages and disadvantages of each method is presented.

Author Biographies

Judith C Kulig, School of Health Sciences University of Lethbridge

Judith Kulig is a Professor in the Nursing Program within the School of Health Sciences at the University of Lethbridge. Her research program focuses on understanding rural health issues specifically addressing unique groups who live in rural areas, nursing practice in rural and remote Canada and community resiliency in rural communities.

Dana S. Edge, School of Nursing, Queen's University

Dana is an Associate Professor in the School of Nursing at Queen's University. Her research focuses on rural nursing practice and rural health issues such as the meaning of health and illness among rural residents.

Brenda Joyce, Red Deer College

Brenda is a social worker who is currently the Chairperson for the Social Work program at Red Deer College. Her MSW research focused on resiliency among First Nations families.

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Published

2009-01-26

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Articles