Purpose: This study explores the factors that motivate residents to participate in neighborhood organizations in poor communities, and how participants' initial and current motivation influenced their level of their involvement in their neighborhood organization. In this study, citizen participation is defined as the active, voluntary engagement of individuals and groups in poor communities to change problematic conditions, and influence policies and programs that affect the quality of their lives and the lives of other residents (Gamble & Weil, 1995).

Methods: This study used a cross sectional survey of members of neighborhood organizations distributed door to door, at organizational meetings, and through the mail (N=124); 54% response rate. Existing measures were used and/or adapted. The measures for citizen participation were: (1) participation level (Perkins & Long, 2002; York, 1990), and (2) participation in decision making (Itzhaky & York, 2000). The motivation scales, informed by Wandersman, Florin, Chavis, Rich & Prestby (1985), included: (1) initial motivation, and (2) current motivation for participation. Descriptive statistics were used to examine the relative importance of several factors that influenced participants' initial and current involvement in their organization. Hierarchical multiple regression analysis was used to examine the influence of initial and current motivation on participation level and participation in decision making, controlling for demographics and neighborhood organization.

Results: The results from the descriptive analysis demonstrated that the most important reasons for residents' initial and current participation in their neighborhood organization were those related to community versus personal issues, i.e., improving, learning about and/or influencing their community versus their own personal contributions and/or benefits. The results from the regression analysis demonstrated that residents' initial motivation was not associated with their participation; however, current motivation was associated with both their level of participation (p < .01) and their participation in decision making (p < .01).

Implications for Practice: This study was based on theory and prior research demonstrating the relationship between motivation and citizen participation, including the ecological perspective and theories of perceived control. Participating in neighborhood organizations provides an opportunity for residents to satisfy their intrinsic drive to exert control over the conditions in their immediate environment, including their neighborhood. The results demonstrate importance social work strategies that help practitioners understand and draw upon the motivation of current and potential participants, and community level research that contributes to the knowledge base upon which practitioners can guide their work in poor communities.

References

Gamble, D., & Weil, M. (1995). Citizen Participation. In Encyclopedia of Social Work, 19th Edition (pp. 483-494). Washington, DC: NASW Press.

Itzhaky, H., & York, A. S. (2000). Empowerment and community participation: Does gender make a difference? Social Work Research, 24(4), 225-234.

Perkins, D. D., & Long, D. A. (2002). Neighborhood Sense of Community and social capital: A multi-level analysis. In A. Fisher, C. Sonn & B. Bishop (Eds.), Psychological sense of community: Research, applications, and implications (pp. 291-318). New York: Plenum.

Wandersman, A., Florin, P., Chavis, D., Rich, R., & Prestby, J. (1985). Getting together and getting things done. Psychology Today, 19, 64-71.