Phenomenological Analysis of Social Capital and Community Functioning

Background and Purpose:

Social capital describes the relationships and trust among individuals and within communities, and is essential to community functioning. For individuals lacking in social capital, socially isolated neighborhoods of concentrated poverty present a difficult barrier to overcome in accessing employment and educational opportunities. Mobilizing social capital is considered to be a critical element of successful community development. The purpose of this study was to examine resident perceptions of social capital and community functioning in a low-wealth neighborhood.

Methods:

Purposeful sampling was used to achieve a cross-section of demographics that most closely reflected the larger neighborhood population. A total of 24 residents participated in three focus groups. Participants ranged in age from 33 to 76 years old; 14 identified as female and 10 as male. All participants identified as Black or African American. A phenomenological approach was used to examine the lived experiences of the participants and the meanings they ascribed to these experiences. Focus group transcripts were examined to identify clustered themes. Coded nodes of predetermined and emerging themes related to the dimensions of social capital were created. 254 significant statements were extracted from which formulated meanings were constructed. The criteria of credibility, consistency, and objectivity were used to address rigor and trustworthiness. Prolonged engagement with the community; triangulation among data, researcher observations, and member and community checks strengthened credibility.

Findings:

The formulated meanings were arranged into clusters using nodes, resulting in the emergence of three major themes: (1) trust; (2) people are the key neighborhood resource; and (3) engagement and collective action.

Theme 1: Concern about trust and mistrust was mentioned repeatedly, particularly with regards to outsider relationships. Trust was described as a widespread community concern. Residents described trust in the context of relationships, engagement and involvement. Residents connected trust to the concept of empowerment. Residents shared concerns about trust with local law enforcement and city officials.

Theme 2: Participants identified residents as a key factor in both the current strengths of the neighborhood and in the process of community change. They indicated that successful neighborhood transformation would require building on neighbors’ existing strengths and addressing feelings of disempowerment and a lack of motivation among those who most need support.

Theme 3: Neighbors indicated an interest in collective action that would generate change. Building participation for collective action would require overcoming a lack of collaboration among outside partners and among residents and leaders, and a lack of empowerment among residents. Effective communication and strategies for ongoing collaboration would be key to overcoming these challenges.

Conclusion and Implications: Findings highlighted trust, individual assets, and engagement as key elements necessary to building community. As social work is concerned with identifying issues, creating solutions and bringing together those in need with the resources to achieve positive and sustainable change, this research contributes to the knowledge base for social workers in community transformation initiatives. A greater understanding of characteristics of community functioning and social trust systems will assist organizers in developing strategies to address revitalization efforts in significant and sustainable ways.