Abstract
Aim : To investigate the process of creating autonomy among community residents participating in health planning and promotion, through empirical research with community residents. Methods : Semi-structured interviews were conducted on 6 residents who participated in health planning and promotion in A-town, and data collected were analyzed using qualitative, inductive methods. Results : The 4 stages that emerged in the process of autonomy creation among community residents involved in health planning and promotion were "Participating primarily as a representative of one's own organization," "Group formation and emergence of autonomy through discussion," "Testing of autonomy through promotion in one's own organization" and "Experiencing the results of autonomous promotion of the health plan and feeling empowered." Conclusion : In the first stage of participating in health planning and promotion, residents acted as individual representatives of their organizations, but through frank debate and philosophical thinking, they formed a group and began to develop autonomy. In the stage of promoting the health plan, residents' real autonomy was tested. Through philosophical thinking, they formed real autonomy.
