virginia polytechnic institute and state university 1 the influences of community social...

Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University 1

The Influences of Community Social The Influences of Community Social Organization on the Well-Being of Organization on the Well-Being of

Older AdultsOlder Adults

Jay A. Mancini, Ph.D.Jay A. Mancini, Ph.D.

Presented at the World Demographic AssociationPresented at the World Demographic Association World Ageing and Generations CongressWorld Ageing and Generations CongressSt. Gallen, Switzerland, September 2007St. Gallen, Switzerland, September 2007


Figure 1. Social Organizational Processes, Social Structure, and Individual/Family Figure 1. Social Organizational Processes, Social Structure, and Individual/Family ResultsResults

Social Social StructureStructure

Social OrganizationalSocial OrganizationalProcessesProcesses

Individual/Family Individual/Family ResultsResults

Social CapitalSocial Capital• InformationInformation• ReciprocityReciprocity• TrustTrust

Community CapacityCommunity Capacity• Shared responsibilityShared responsibility• Collective competenceCollective competence

Network StructureNetwork Structure• Informal networksInformal networks• Formal networksFormal networks• Network effect levelsNetwork effect levels


Social Organization Theory:Social Organization Theory:Definition of Social OrganizationDefinition of Social Organization

Values, norms, processes, and behavior Values, norms, processes, and behavior patterns within a community that organize, patterns within a community that organize, facilitate, and constrain interactions among facilitate, and constrain interactions among community memberscommunity members

Process by which communities achieve desired Process by which communities achieve desired results for individuals and families, including results for individuals and families, including ability to demonstrate resiliencyability to demonstrate resiliency

Includes networks of people, exchanges and Includes networks of people, exchanges and reciprocity in relationships, accepted standards reciprocity in relationships, accepted standards of social support, and social controls that of social support, and social controls that regulate behavior and interactionregulate behavior and interaction


Our Social Organization Theorizing Our Social Organization Theorizing and Researchand Research

Mancini, J.A., Nelson, J.P., Bowen, G.L., & Martin, J.A. (2006). Mancini, J.A., Nelson, J.P., Bowen, G.L., & Martin, J.A. (2006). Preventing intimate partner violence: A community capacity Preventing intimate partner violence: A community capacity approach. approach. Journal of Aggression, Maltreatment, and TraumaJournal of Aggression, Maltreatment, and Trauma, , 1313 (3/4), 203-227.(3/4), 203-227.

Mancini, J.A., Bowen, G.L., & Martin, J.A. (2005). Community social Mancini, J.A., Bowen, G.L., & Martin, J.A. (2005). Community social organization: A conceptual linchpin in examining families in the organization: A conceptual linchpin in examining families in the context of communities. context of communities. Family Relations: Interdisciplinary Journal Family Relations: Interdisciplinary Journal of Applied Family Studiesof Applied Family Studies, , 5454, 570-582., 570-582.

Mancini, J.A., & Marek, L.I. (2004). Sustaining community-based Mancini, J.A., & Marek, L.I. (2004). Sustaining community-based programs for families: Conceptualization and measurement. programs for families: Conceptualization and measurement. Family Family Relations: Interdisciplinary Journal of Applied Family StudiesRelations: Interdisciplinary Journal of Applied Family Studies, , 5353, , 339-347.339-347.

Mancini, J.A., Bowen, G.L., & Martin, J.A. (2004). Families in Mancini, J.A., Bowen, G.L., & Martin, J.A. (2004). Families in community contexts. In V. Bengtson, A. Acock, K. Allen, P. community contexts. In V. Bengtson, A. Acock, K. Allen, P. Dillworth-Anderson, & D. Klein (Eds.), Dillworth-Anderson, & D. Klein (Eds.), Sourcebook of family theory Sourcebook of family theory and researchand research. Beverly Hills, CA: Sage.. Beverly Hills, CA: Sage.


Our Social Organization Theorizing Our Social Organization Theorizing and Researchand Research

Bowen, G.L., Mancini, J.A., Martin, J.A., Ware. W.B., & Nelson, J.P. Bowen, G.L., Mancini, J.A., Martin, J.A., Ware. W.B., & Nelson, J.P. (2003). Promoting the adaptation of military families: An empirical (2003). Promoting the adaptation of military families: An empirical test of a community practice model. test of a community practice model. Family Relations: Family Relations: Interdisciplinary Journal of Applied Family StudiesInterdisciplinary Journal of Applied Family Studies, , 5252, 33-44., 33-44.

Mancini, J.A., Martin, J.A., & Bowen, G. (2003). Community Mancini, J.A., Martin, J.A., & Bowen, G. (2003). Community capacity. In T. Gullotta & M. Bloom (Eds.), capacity. In T. Gullotta & M. Bloom (Eds.), Encyclopedia of primary Encyclopedia of primary prevention and health promotionprevention and health promotion (pp. 319-331). New York: (pp. 319-331). New York: Plenum.Plenum.

Bowen, G., Martin, J.A., Mancini, J.A., & Nelson, J. (2001). Civic Bowen, G., Martin, J.A., Mancini, J.A., & Nelson, J. (2001). Civic engagement and sense of community in the military. engagement and sense of community in the military. Journal of Journal of Community PracticeCommunity Practice, , 99, 71-93., 71-93.

Bowen, G., Martin, J., Mancini, J.A. & Nelson, J. (2000). Bowen, G., Martin, J., Mancini, J.A. & Nelson, J. (2000). Community capacity: Antecedents and consequences. Community capacity: Antecedents and consequences. Journal of Journal of Community PracticeCommunity Practice, , 88, 1-21., 1-21.


Social Organization Theory:Social Organization Theory:The ModelThe Model

Our approachOur approach Moves social organization theory from single Moves social organization theory from single

plane of explanation on disorganization and plane of explanation on disorganization and delinquencydelinquency

Moves the theory toward a more layered Moves the theory toward a more layered approach to communitiesapproach to communities

Presents the theory as having a more Presents the theory as having a more fundamental role in explaining broader family fundamental role in explaining broader family system phenomenasystem phenomena


Figure 1. Social Organizational Processes, Social Structure, and Individual/Family Figure 1. Social Organizational Processes, Social Structure, and Individual/Family ResultsResults

Social Social StructureStructure

Social OrganizationalSocial OrganizationalProcessesProcesses

Individual/Family Individual/Family ResultsResults

Social CapitalSocial Capital• InformationInformation• ReciprocityReciprocity• TrustTrust

Community CapacityCommunity Capacity• Shared responsibilityShared responsibility• Collective competenceCollective competence

Network StructureNetwork Structure• Informal networksInformal networks• Formal networksFormal networks• Network effect levelsNetwork effect levels


Social Organization Theory:Social Organization Theory:Structure and ProcessStructure and Process

Differentiation of structure from processDifferentiation of structure from process Former pertains to configuration and Former pertains to configuration and

compositioncomposition Latter involves operations and methods of Latter involves operations and methods of

workingworking Process occurs within structural frameworksProcess occurs within structural frameworks Processes provide linkage between social Processes provide linkage between social

structure and effects on individuals and structure and effects on individuals and familiesfamilies


Social Organization Theory:Social Organization Theory:Focus on ProcessesFocus on Processes

Main focus is on processesMain focus is on processes NetworksNetworks Social CapitalSocial Capital Community CapacityCommunity Capacity

Relationships between themRelationships between them Networks provide context for the development Networks provide context for the development

of social capital, and for building community of social capital, and for building community capacitycapacity


Social Organization Theory:Social Organization Theory:NetworksNetworks

Primary ways through which community Primary ways through which community life is enactedlife is enacted

Informal networks comprise web of Informal networks comprise web of relationships with friends, neighbors, work relationships with friends, neighbors, work associatesassociates

Formal networks associated with agencies Formal networks associated with agencies and organizationsand organizations

Voluntary and obligatory relationshipsVoluntary and obligatory relationships


Social Organization Theory:Social Organization Theory:NetworksNetworks

Networks effects levelsNetworks effects levels Action element of our frameworkAction element of our framework Nexus of informal and formal networksNexus of informal and formal networks First level-within a networkFirst level-within a network Second level-between like networksSecond level-between like networks Third level-between dissimilar networksThird level-between dissimilar networks

Network configurations provide leverage for Network configurations provide leverage for achieving results through generation of social achieving results through generation of social capital and production of community capacitycapital and production of community capacity


Social Organization Theory:Social Organization Theory:Social CapitalSocial Capital

Information, reciprocity, and trustInformation, reciprocity, and trust Aggregate of resources (information, opportunities, Aggregate of resources (information, opportunities,

and instrumental support)and instrumental support) Arise from reciprocal social relationshipsArise from reciprocal social relationships Results from participation in formal and informal Results from participation in formal and informal

settingssettings Social capital observed in actions of civic Social capital observed in actions of civic

groups, faith communities, and any number of groups, faith communities, and any number of community-based groupscommunity-based groups

Increases odds of achieving results otherwise Increases odds of achieving results otherwise not attainednot attained


Social Organization Theory:Social Organization Theory:Community CapacityCommunity Capacity

Shared responsibilityShared responsibility For general welfare of the community and its For general welfare of the community and its

individual membersindividual members SentimentsSentiments

Collective competenceCollective competence Taking collective action, confronting situationsTaking collective action, confronting situations

AssumptionsAssumptions Concern directed at community as a whole and at Concern directed at community as a whole and at

particular elements, action is beyond expression of particular elements, action is beyond expression of positive sentiments, action is proactive and reactive, positive sentiments, action is proactive and reactive, action targeted at threats and at normative situationsaction targeted at threats and at normative situations


Social Organization Theory:Social Organization Theory:Community ResultsCommunity Results

Consequences of effective social organizationConsequences of effective social organization Desired results (examples, safety, health and Desired results (examples, safety, health and

well-being, family resilience)well-being, family resilience) Results not owned by any particular group but Results not owned by any particular group but

valued across communityvalued across community Identified results assist to determine leverage Identified results assist to determine leverage

points for changepoints for change Moves theory from interesting framework to Moves theory from interesting framework to

theory of actiontheory of action


Social Organization:Social Organization:SummarySummary

Need for theorizing that Need for theorizing that connects families and connects families and communitiescommunities

Social organization Social organization provides linkage provides linkage frameworkframework

Theory focused on action Theory focused on action and community changeand community change

There are leverage points There are leverage points that can be mobilized to that can be mobilized to support families and support families and communitiescommunities

Consequent set of Consequent set of considerations for considerations for professionalsprofessionals Prevention/intervention Prevention/intervention

program developmentprogram development Program and community Program and community

researchersresearchers


Application to Individual and Application to Individual and Population AgingPopulation Aging

Potential later life challengesPotential later life challenges Health and mobilityHealth and mobility Shifting friend networkShifting friend network Economic status strainsEconomic status strains Changing neighborhoods/relocationChanging neighborhoods/relocation Uncertainty about the futureUncertainty about the future Family changes/mobility/widowhoodFamily changes/mobility/widowhood Increasing societal complexity/technologyIncreasing societal complexity/technology Risks of daily lifeRisks of daily life



Key social organization questions:Key social organization questions: What community structures are older people What community structures are older people

experiencing? Physical/geographic, experiencing? Physical/geographic, transportation, environment generally? Is transportation, environment generally? Is access constrained?access constrained?

Are older people part of active networks? Are older people part of active networks? Formal networks of services, informal Formal networks of services, informal networks of friends, neighbors, associates? networks of friends, neighbors, associates? Strength of connections?Strength of connections?



Key social organization questions:Key social organization questions: What formal networks are intentional about What formal networks are intentional about

engaging older people? Are formal networks engaging older people? Are formal networks focused on fostering connections within focused on fostering connections within informal networks?informal networks?

Are formal and informal networks coalescing Are formal and informal networks coalescing around older adult personal risk issues, such around older adult personal risk issues, such as violence directed toward them? What is as violence directed toward them? What is the community capacity to deal with risk the community capacity to deal with risk issues?issues?



Key social organization questions:Key social organization questions: Who is taking responsibility for the community Who is taking responsibility for the community

welfare of older adults? Moreover, who is welfare of older adults? Moreover, who is doing something about the situation?doing something about the situation?

What are community norms when it comes to What are community norms when it comes to considering, valuing, recognizing, and noticing considering, valuing, recognizing, and noticing older people in the community? Is the older people in the community? Is the community older-person friendly? Is the community older-person friendly? Is the community intentional about keeping older community intentional about keeping older people on their radar screen?people on their radar screen?



Key social organization questions:Key social organization questions: Is it “hard work” being an older person in the Is it “hard work” being an older person in the

community? What are the barriers? What are community? What are the barriers? What are the enablers?the enablers?

What are the desired community results What are the desired community results involving older people? Easy access to social involving older people? Easy access to social life, safety and protection, being connected life, safety and protection, being connected rather than isolated, valued rather than rather than isolated, valued rather than discounted, “looked to” rather than “looked discounted, “looked to” rather than “looked at”?at”?


ConclusionsConclusions

Social organization theory has merit for Social organization theory has merit for understanding nuances of successful understanding nuances of successful agingaging Predicated on community capacity, social Predicated on community capacity, social

capital, and networkscapital, and networks Suggests “leverage points” for making a Suggests “leverage points” for making a

positive difference in older people’s livespositive difference in older people’s lives Provides guidance on a range of research Provides guidance on a range of research

studies on multiple contexts and their studies on multiple contexts and their influencesinfluences


For Further InformationFor Further Information

Jay A. Mancini is a Senior Research Jay A. Mancini is a Senior Research Fellow at the Institute for Society, Culture, Fellow at the Institute for Society, Culture, and Environment, and a Professor of and Environment, and a Professor of Human Development, at Virginia Human Development, at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA, 24061; Blacksburg, VA, 24061; [email protected]; ; (540) 231-9816. (540) 231-9816.

http://.www.humandevelopment.vt.edu/mancini.html

virginia polytechnic institute and state university 1 the influences of community social...

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