Civic Engagement Among Small-Group Participants: Creating Community or Self-Absorption?

Abstract

Small support groups are a relatively new form of voluntary association appearing in the American landscape. Examining the larger implications of the ''small group movement'' for civic life has led some to see an overall positive effect on wider community activities, while others have viewed small-group participants as self-absorbed and withdrawing from participation in civic activities. Using a national sample of small-group participants, we examine the effects on civic engagement stemming from the social characteristics of participants, the type of small group (religious, secular, or mixed), and the opportunity to develop social capital through participation in small groups. Findings indicate that members of religious small groups do not actively engage in civic affairs, but members of secular and mixed groups do participate in a broad range of civic activities. Differences in social participation can be attributed to characteristics of the small groups (formalization and cohesion) and to some characteristics of members (education). When small support groups offer members the opportunity to acquire civic skills, to exchange information, and to develop self-efficacy, there is more interest and activity in civic affairs.

Small groups, contexts, and civic engagement: A multilevel analysis of United States Congregational Life Survey data

“…There could be small groups within a congregation that organize around goals other than prayer, discussion, or Bible study. Furthermore, there are myriad forms of small groups that are unconnected to congregations, both religious and secular; the present study is unable to account for the broad range of small group types that have been catalogued (Marcello and Perrucci, 2009;Wuthnow, 1994b). Future research could build on our findings by using multilevel data with more fine-grained measures of the different types of small groups.…”

“…Wuthnow (1994a,b) pointed to the tendency of small groups to turn inward and begin to focus only on personal growth and development. Further analysis on the data used in Wuthnow's study suggests that strictly religious small group participants are less likely to engage in civic activities compared to secular or mixed group participants (groups that are both religious and secular) (Marcello and Perrucci, 2009). In fact, some scholars point to heightened density of intra-group social networks as detrimental to civic engagement (Fiorina, 1999;Putnam, 2000;Scheitle and Adamczyk, 2009;Schwadel, 2005).…”

“…Inwardly-focused small groups bound individuals' social networks resulting in decreased engagement with broader civic opportunities and concerns, a ''crowding out'' effect due to increased opportunity costs (Frey, 1997a,b;Menchik and Weisbrod, 1987). Recent analyses of Wuthnow's data show that some religious small groups are linked to lower levels of civic engagement (Marcello and Perrucci, 2009). This association is somewhat puzzling given the robust links between individuals' church involvement and civic engagement in the United States (Putnam, 2000;Putnam and Campbell, 2010) and cross-nationally (Ruiter and De Graaf, 2006).…”

Community responses to disasters: a foundation for recovery

“…A large body of literature cites the integration and mobilization of community capitals as a predictor and facilitator of homeostasis Lukensmeyer, 2007;Marcello, 2009;Pyles & Cross, 2008;Wyche et al 2011;Zekeri, Wilkinson, & Humphrey, 1994). Likewise, much of the social science research in the studies of disaster recovery during the past 20 years has focused on community and asset-based strategies designed to promote civic engagement of all segments of the community (Durant, 2011;Gordon, 2004;Kaniasty & Norris, 1993;Livingston, 2006;McBride, Sherraden, & Pritzker, 2006;Theodori, 2001Theodori, , 2005.…”

Small Groups, Contexts, and Civic Engagement: A Multilevel Analysis of United States Congregational Life Survey Data

“…Inwardly-focused small groups bound individuals' social networks resulting in decreased engagement with broader civic opportunities and concerns, a "crowding out" effect due to increased opportunity costs (Frey 1997a(Frey , 1997bMenchik and Weisbrod 1987). Recent analyses of Wuthnow's data show that some religious small groups are linked to lower levels of civic engagement (Marcello and Perrucci 2009). This association is somewhat puzzling given the robust links between individuals' church involvement and civic engagement in the United States (Putnam 2000;Putnam and Campbell 2012) and cross-nationally (Ruiter and De Graaf 2006).…”