How can community support be maintained during the COVID-19 pandemic?

Abstract

This study aims to examine a structural equation model composed of the latent variables of collaboration, perceptions of benefits and costs, and community satisfaction to find a way to enhance community support for community development projects during the COVID-19 pandemic. Using a sample of 600 participants (57.8% male; 42% female) from 30 communities in South Korea, our findings show that collaboration as social cohesion has indirect effects on community support by mediating the perceived benefits and community satisfaction. The results show that perceived benefits and community satisfaction are crucial to enhance community support during times of uncertainty such as the COVID-19 pandemic. We suggest that policy makers and practitioners consider the relationships among collaboration, perceived benefits, and community satisfaction as a catalyst to enhance community support.