Community intervention study for building a stronger sense of community in older adults

2016 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 26860451
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Young Scientists (B)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Research Field: Hygiene and public health
• Research Institution: Tokyo Metropolitan Geriatric Hospital and Institute of Gerontology
• Principal Investigator: Nishi Mariko 地方独立行政法人東京都健康長寿医療センター(東京都健康長寿医療センター研究所), 東京都健康長寿医療センター研究所, 研究員 (70543601)
• Project Period (FY): 2014-04-01 – 2017-03-31
• Keywords: コミュニティ感覚 / 地域介入 / 地域参加型研究 / 居住地域 / 地域環境

Outline of Final Research Achievements

This study was a community-based participatory research which aimed to build a stronger sense of community in older adults. The intervention area and content was considered together by residents, government and researchers through a discussion meeting. Finally an intervention tool which was expected to build a stronger sense of community was made. The tool was a walk-map with must-see sights of the intervention area. This tool was put into practical use by walk events and lectures. It was also informed to residents through public information paper and by word of mouth. As a result of analysis, we failed to find a significant effect of intervention. In this study, many intervention ideas were proposed, but only one of them was carried into action for a short period of time within the study time frame. It was suggested that multifaceted actions must be put in practice for a certain period of time for an effective community intervention to build a stronger sense of community.

Free Research Field

心理学，公衆衛生学