Taking part in adolescent sexual health promotion in Peru: community participation from a social psychological perspective

Abstract

This paper revisits the field of community participation in health promotion as understood from the viewpoint of social psychology. It discusses ongoing dialogues between health promotion policy discourses in relation to community involvement in development, and theoretical and practical contributions of social psychology in this respect. In particular, it introduces a social psychological framework for understanding and aiding community participation, grounded in the works of Jürgen Habermas and Paulo Freire. A community‐based adolescent sexual health promotion initiative taking place in highly deprived communities in Peru serves as a case study to illustrate the approach. Findings are discussed with respect to the outcomes achieved, the light shed on the understanding of sexual health, and the impact on the adolescents partaking of the project. In the light of the results of the practical implementation of the theoretical approach outlined, the paper argues that social psychology is well positioned to contribute to community development, in particular to improving understanding and aiding of social processes of participation and change. Areas that require further research both at theoretical and at practical levels are identified and discussed. Copyright © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Sentido de comunidad, empoderamiento psicológico y participación ciudadana en trabajadores de organizaciones culturales

“…Las actividades culturales pueden contribuir a fortalecer la identidad grupal y el intercambio intercultural (Madyaningrum y Sonn, 2011), aminorar los efectos de los problemas de salud mental (Kelaher et al, 2008), generar conciencia social sobre el problema del suicidio y evitar el estigma asociado al mismo (Mohatt et al, 2013) y reducir las conductas sexuales de riesgo en población adolescente (Ramella y de la Cruz, 2000). También suelen participar en iniciativas de defensa de los derechos humanos y en actos de reivindicación política (Felshin, 1995).…”

Measuring Participation as Communicative Action: A Case Study of Citizen Involvement in and Assessment of a City's Smoking Cessation Policy-Making Process

“…Parallels between Freire's and Habermas's work have been noted despite many differences in their aims and conceptual tools (Morrow & Torres, 2002; Pietrykowski, 1996; Ramella & De La Cruz, 2000). The TCA is intended to be as sensitive to authenticity and empowerment as is Freire's approach, even if it has been developed at a more abstract theoretical level.…”

“…The critical literature notwithstanding, a growing body of work represents studies using TCA to ground empirical research into the fairness of dialogic political processes (Bächtigera, Spörndlia, Steenbergen, & Steiner, 2005; Forester, 1988; Janssen & Kies, 2005; Ramella & De La Cruz, 2000; Rosenberg 2005). The conceptual comparability between communicative action and participation has been addressed by Jacobson (2003) and Webler (1995).…”

Evaluating knowledge, attitudinal, and behavioral change effects from a multinational HIV/AIDS education program for youth

“…Meaningful youth participation strengthens development and supports communication with community members (Ramella & de la Cruz, 2000), which are linked to changes in life skills and attitudes (Ishraq, 2004b;Mathur et al, 2004). Involving parents may influence their parenting attitudes and practices, such as openness of communication and receptiveness to HIV education and related activities (Bartel & Tavadze, 2004;Ishraq, 2004a).…”