The Centrality of Communication and Media in Fostering Community Resilience: A Framework for Assessment and Intervention. (February 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Houston, J. Brian; Spialek, Matthew L.; Cox, Joy; Greenwood, Molly M.; First, Jennifer
• Other Names: Houston J. Brian guest-editor.
• Is Part Of: American behavioral scientist. Volume 59:Number 2(2015:Feb.)
• Page Start: 270
• Page End: 283
• Publication Date: 2015-02
• Subjects: community resilience -- disaster -- media -- communication; Social sciences -- Periodicals; Political science -- Periodicals; United States -- Social conditions -- Periodicals; United States -- Politics and government -- Periodicals; 300
• DOI: 10.1177/0002764214548563
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0002-7642

Abstract

A community is resilient if it is able to "bounce forward" after an adverse event. Community resilience is generally considered a process that is indicated by community adaptation following a disaster or crisis. In this article, we employ media and communication perspectives (communication ecology, public relations, and strategic communication) to review the community resilience literature and propose a revised community resilience model. Our proposed model includes four components: communication systems and resources, community relationships, strategic communication processes, and community attributes. Each of these components includes several elements that are described. Implications for research and practice are discussed.