Research on the process of community empowerment -Process of social support-networking in M town, A Prefecture -

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to clarify the process of how a community becomes empowered. Data were collected by interviewing five community leaders in M town, A Prefecture, and analyzed qualitatively. Three stages were identified in the process of social support-networking. Stage I was actualization and sharing of a desire with people in the neighborhood; Stage II was initiation of collaborations by individuals; and Stage III was the coming together of these collaborations. Three features of social support networking were observed: 1) The development of networking activities was continually being driven by the needs and desire of the people; 2) Substantial collaboration was required to further develop the social support network; 3) the public health nurse managed the networking activities. It is suggested that the three stages and the features of social support networking are closely associated with community empowerment.