Abstract
Purpose: Since 2000, mini-day-services for preventive health care and healthful life have been implemented in every community of K town, S Prefecture, Japan. Our goal was to look at community empowerment through these mini-day-service activities using the Community as Partner Model. Methods: Focused Group Interviews (FGI) were done on 3 groups consisted of supporting members. And, Individual interviews and participant observation were held. And, existing material were used. Results: The Community Core and the 8 segments of Subsystems were discussed according to the Community as Partner Model example. After making a full and accurate transcription from the tapes, we generated a list of key ideas. We did this to formulate categories of concerns and placed the items and quotes in the most appropriate categories. We picked out 4 stressors and showed the community member's reaction against each stressor. After that, several plans they implemented to cope with each stressor were examined, and their activities were carefully evaluated. Conclusion: Through our research and analysis, we found that the community (composed of the core group and subsystems) was changed and empowered through coping with several stressors. We found the Community as Partner Model to be a useful tool to demonstrate the community empowerment process.
