Accomplishing Structural Change: Identifying Intermediate Indicators of Success. Issue 1 (9th August 2012)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Miller, Robin Lin; Reed, Sarah J.; Francisco, Vincent
• Is Part Of: American journal of community psychology. Volume 51:Issue 1/2(2013)
• Page Start: 243
• Page End: 253
• Publication Date: 2012-08-09
• Subjects: Coalitions -- HIV/AIDS prevention -- Adolescents -- Outcome indicators; Community psychology -- Periodicals; Community mental health services -- Periodicals; Community psychiatry -- Periodicals; Community Mental Health Services -- Periodicals; Community Psychiatry -- Periodicals; 155.905
• DOI: 10.1007/s10464-012-9544-4
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0091-0562

Abstract

Abstract: Coalitions are routinely employed across the United States as a method of mobilizing communities to improve local conditions that impact on citizens' well‐being. Success in achieving specific objectives for environmental or structural community change may not quickly translate into improved population outcomes in the community, posing a dilemma for coalitions that pursue changes that focus on altering community conditions. Considerable effort by communities to plan for and pursue structural change objectives, without evidence of logical and appropriate intermediate markers of success could lead to wasted effort. Yet, the current literature provides little guidance on how coalitions might select intermediate indicators of achievement to judge their progress and the utility of their effort. The current paper explores the strengths and weaknesses of various indicators of intermediate success in creating structural changes among a sample of 13 coalitions organized to prevent exposure to HIV among high‐risk adolescents in their local communities.