Back to Annual Meeting Page		American Public Health Association 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition December 10-14, 2005 Philadelphia, PA

Abstract #119049

Corrina Moucheraud, MPH¹, Rebecca Matthew, MPH², Lisa A. Wald, MPH¹, and Claire K.M. Townsend, MPH¹. (1) School of Public Health, Department of Health Behavior and Health Education, University of North Carolina- Chapel Hill, CB #7440, 3rd floor Rosenau Hall, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, (919) 360-0373, ccrimmins@asph.org, (2) Health Behavior and Health Education, University of North Carolina, CB #7440, 3rd Floor Rosenau, Chapel Hill, NC 27599

Background/Purpose: CBPR is unique in its consciousness of power dynamics to establish equitable research relationships with communities. The current state of knowledge and methods for navigating power, however, is still in its infancy. The purpose of this paper is to present the findings from a case analysis of how community power affected and was affected by a CBPR project.

Methods: An Action-Oriented Community Diagnosis (AOCD), a CBPR-informed technique, was conducted with an African American neighborhood in North Carolina over a seven-month period. Three sources of data were collected on power relations within the neighborhood and with the wider community: field notes on participant observations; transcripts from 19 interviews conducted with community residents and service providers; and secondary data sources, such as historical archives, technical documents, and websites. The analysis used the method of coding and retrieving text to determine patterns of meaning on the manifestations of power during the CBPR process.

Results/Implications: The manifestations of power within this community that affected the CBPR process were: racism, community competence, and levels of community participation. Power relations with the wider society that affected the CBPR process were: gatekeeping and charismatic authority. Based on these results, we suggest that the CBPR process begin with an AOCD that includes a power analysis of relations among community leaders/members, academic or “outside” researchers, and service providers. The purpose is to provide a context in which an equitable, balanced, and respectful partnership can develop by revealing the power dynamics already present in these relationships.

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, the participant (learner) in this session will be able to

• Define CBPR and AOCD, and describe their critical elements.
• Articulate the role of power in CBPR efforts.
• Recognize the potential for power analysis to assist with the confrontation of power in CBPR – especially as it relates to researcher-community and intra-community relations.

Keywords: Community-Based Partnership, Participatory Research

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

I wish to disclose that I have NO financial interests or other relationship with the manufactures of commercial products, suppliers of commercial services or commercial supporters.