Communities Partnering With Researchers: An Evaluation of Coalition Function in a Community-Engaged Research Approach

• Published in: Progress in community health partnerships 2019, Vol.13 (1), p.105-114
• Main Authors: Rockler, Briana E, Procter, Sandra B, Contreras, Dawn, Gold, Abby, Keim, Ann, Mobley, Amy R, Oscarson, Renee, Peters, Paula, Remig, Valentina, Smathers, Carol
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Child; Collaboration; Community; Community-Based Participatory Research; Female; Health problems; Health promotion; Human subjects; Humans; Intervention; Low income areas; Low income groups; Male; Obesity; Participation; Pediatric Obesity; Polls & surveys; Public Health; Researchers; Rural Population; Self evaluation; Socioeconomic Factors; Studies; Success
• ISSN: 1557-0541; 1557-055X; 1557-055X
• DOI: 10.1353/cpr.2019.0013

Community coalitions are frequently used as partners for community-engaged research. However, limited research shows how these partnerships affect the coalitions. To evaluate the effects of researcher-coalition collaboration on coalition function in the pilot year of a 4-year intervention program targeting childhood obesity in rural, low-income communities. A quasi-experimental study using a quantitative survey (Coalition Self-Assessment Survey [CSAS]) evaluated factors related to coalition function and efficacy. Twelve community coalitions from seven states completed survey evaluations at baseline (n = 133), and at the 1-year follow-up (n = 113). Pearson's χ2 and Mann-Whitney U tests were computed; significance was set at p < .05. Survey results revealed significant changes for coalitions engaged in research partnership. Institutional engagement with community health coalitions in the first year of partnership was related to enhanced coalition function. Coalitions with a greater degree of researcher collaboration may be more successful in addressing community health problems.