A Mixed-Methods Approach to Evaluate the Effectiveness of Rural Community Health Coalitions: Comparing Coalition Capacity and Social Network Analysis

Abstract

To determine how multiple indicators of coalition capacity (robustness, strength, sustainability, and growth) may predict effectiveness of community health coalitions in rural settings. Community coalitions in two rural Midwestern counties focusing on building capacity to reduce obesity participated in this study. Local community facilitators were hired to assist coalitions in forming partnerships, creating mission statements and goals, and identifying/addressing community needs. We are taking a novel mixed-methods approach to assess associations across indicators of coalition capacity within and between counties to determine which variables are most salient to coalition effectiveness. Participants are completing interviews and surveys over a two-year period that measure the study variables. Indicators of coalition capacity are being assessed using social network analysis and factor analysis to determine how assessment approaches converge. We are comparing network robustness, density, and centrality to coalition growth, health, and sustainability. We expect to demonstrate the unique and shared power of coalition capacity indicators and determine which indicators may serve as instrumental predictors of coalition effectiveness. Comparing quantitative network parameters (i.e. density and centrality) with other capacity building assessments will allow us to determine how specific modifications to the network (e.g. increasing density and/or centrality or restructuring the network geometry) may predict and improve coalition effectiveness over time. This novel methodology can be used for long-term evaluation and planning for local, state, and regional coalitions.