2013 · Study · English
Measuring Dimensions of Coalition Functioning for Effective and Participatory Community Practice
Shapiro, V. B., Oesterle, S., Abbott, R. D., Arthur, M. W., & Hawkins, J. D.
Shapiro, V. B., Oesterle, S., Abbott, R. D., Arthur, M. W., & Hawkins, J. D. (2013). Measuring Dimensions of Coalition Functioning for Effective and Participatory Community Practice. Social Work Research, 37(4), 349–359. doi.org/10.1093/swr/svt028
Summary
Measurement paper in Social Work Research on how to assess whether a community coalition is working well. Community practice has a long history in social work but few validated measures, and this study uses the community-randomised CTC trial to develop one. Coalition members in the 12 CTC communities rated their coalition’s functioning across the implementation phases. Factor analysis supported a four-dimensional model – goal-directedness, efficiency, opportunities for participation and cohesion – and the dimensions were invariant over time, so that change can be tracked. As one test of validity, members’ ratings were correlated with those of external observers. The instrument is the one used in the group’s later analyses of coalition functioning and capacity, and it is short enough for European CTC coalitions to use as a self-check during the phases of the process.