Community Adjustment Research Articles

Evaluation of Indigenous Cultural Practices that Affect Resistance of the Family Unit in Sub-Saharan Africa

The objective of this study was to assess the impact of indigenous cultural practices on the resilience of families in Sub-Saharan Africa. In addition to analyzing the degradation of these behaviors and the increase in single parenthood in the region, the objective was to investigate how these cultural traditions contribute to families’ capacity to cope with and recover from hardship. This study offers practical suggestions for incorporating indigenous values into contemporary family assistance programs. Utilizing a qualitative research methodology, this study used semi-structured interviews, focus group discussions, and participant observations with a sample of 120 single parents from four local governments in Nigeria to obtain data. The reoccurring themes identified through thematic analysis include the degradation of traditional values, the transition towards single parenthood, and the socio-economic elements that influence family constructions in contemporary African societies. The present study enhances academic research by emphasizing the pivotal significance of indigenous cultural practices in promoting resilience. This study provides valuable perspectives on the integration of ancient communal support networks and values into modern interventions designed to enhance family resilience. Furthermore, the research underscores the significance of safeguarding these cultural traditions in response to modernization and socio-economic transformations, hence broadening the discussion on cultural conservation and adjustment in African communities. Keywords: Indigenous Traditions, Cultural practices, Family Resilience, Societal Problems

Soil diazotrophs sustain nitrogen fixation under high nitrogen enrichment via adjustment of community composition.

This study examined the changes in soil diazotroph community under different loads of simulated N deposition and analyzed its relationship with N fixation rates in in five forests using high-throughput sequencing. The magnitudes of N fixation rates reduced by low N loads were higher than those by high N loads. Low N loads decreased richness and diversity of diazotroph community, whereas diazotroph community structure remained stable under high N loads. Compared with low N loads, high N loads resulted in a less similarity and overlap of nifH gene sequences among the treatments and a larger adjustment of diazotroph community. Low N loads increased soil NH4+ concentrations, which decreased diazotroph community richness, diversity, and N fixation rates, whereas the increased soil NH4+ under high N loads did not have negative impacts on diazotroph community structure and N fixation. Based on these findings, it is urgently needed to incorporate the loads of N deposition and the composition of diazotroph community into terrestrial N-cycling models for accurate understanding of N inputs in forest ecosystems.

Enhancement of Psychosocial Competence and Well-Being of Chinese High School Students under the COVID-19 Pandemic: Tin Ka Ping P.A.T.H.S. Project in Mainland China

Mental health problem is a growing problem in mainland China and the situation has worsened under the COVID-19 pandemic. Besides focusing on tertiary and secondary prevention strategies, there is an urgent need to enhance the well-being of adolescents through primary prevention programs. During the pandemic, a positive youth development program entitled “Tin Ka Ping P.A.T.H.S. Program” was implemented in schools in mainland China. In 2022/23 academic year, students were invited to write a weekly diary on their experience about the program after completion of the program (N = 2,337). Qualitative evaluation showed that 98.2% of the students perceived the program was beneficial to their well-being in different domains. Specifically, students perceived the program enhanced their sense of community, school and academic adjustment, interpersonal relations (family relations and peer relations), and intrapersonal competence (including optimism, resilience, positive coping with stress, spirituality, life meaning and cherishing one’s life). In conjunction with other quantitative and qualitative evaluation findings, the triangulated findings strongly suggest Tin Ka Ping P.A.T.H.S. Program is a promising program that enhances the psychosocial competence and quality of life of adolescents.

Advancing the treatment of low carbon-to-nitrogen ratio municipal wastewater using a novel microaerobic sludge bed approach: Insights into enhanced performance and functional microbial community

Microaerobic sludge bed systems could align with low-energy, reasonable carbon-nitrogen (C/N) ratio, and synchronous removal objectives during wastewater treatment. However, its ability to treat municipal wastewater (MW) with varying low C/N ratio, low NH4+ concentration, along with managing sludge bulking and loss are still unclear. Against this backdrop, this study investigated the performance of an Upflow Microaerobic Sludge Bed Reactor (UMSR) treating MW characterized by varying low C/N ratios and low NH4+ concentrations. The study also thoroughly examined associated sludge bulking and loss, pollutant removal efficiencies, sludge settleability, microbial community structures, functional gene variations, and metabolic pathways. Findings revealed that the effluent NH4+-N concentration gradually decreased to 0 mg/L with a decrease in the C/N ratio, whereas the effluent COD was unaffected by the influent, maintaining a concentration below 50 mg/L. Notably, TN removal efficiency reached 90% when C/N ratio was 3. The decrease in the C/N ratio (C/N ratio was 1) increased microbial community diversity, with abundances of AOB, AnAOB, aerobic denitrifying bacteria, and anaerobic digestion bacteria reaching 8.34%, 0.96%, 5.07%, and 9.01%, respectively. Microorganisms' metabolic pathways significantly shifted, showing increased carbohydrate and cofactor/vitamin metabolism and decreased amino acid metabolism and xenobiotic biodegradation. This study not only provides a solution for the effluent of different pre-capture carbon processes but also demonstrates the UMSR's capability in managing low C/N ratio municipal wastewater and emphasizes the critical role of microbial community adjustments and functional gene variations in enhancing nitrogen removal efficiency.

Assessing Changes in Quality of Life Measures, Resilience, and Personal Recovery, Pre- and Post-Discharge from Inpatient Mental Health Units in Alberta: Analysis of Control Group Data from a Randomized Trial.

IntroductionThe transition from hospital to community settings for most mental health service users is often hindered by challenges that affect community adjustment and continuity of care. The first few weeks and days after discharge from mental health inpatient units represent a critical phase for many service users.ObjectivesThis paper aims to evaluate the changes in quality of Life status, resilience, and personal recovery of individuals with mental health challenges recently discharged from acute mental health care into the community.MethodsData for this study were collected as part of a pragmatic stepped-wedge cluster-randomized, longitudinal approach in Alberta. A paired sample t-test and Chi-squared/Fisher test were deployed to assess changes from baseline to six weeks in the recovery assessment scale (RAS), brief resilience scale (BRS), and EuroQol-5d (EQ-5D), using an online questionnaire.ResultsA total of 306 service users were recruited, and 88 completed both baseline and six weeks, giving a response rate of 28.8%. There was no statistically significant change in the level of resilience, recovery and quality of life as measured with the brief resilience scale, recovery assessment scale and EQ-5D from baseline to six weeks (p > 0.05).ConclusionsThe study showed that there was neither an improvement nor deterioration in resilience, recovery, or quality of life status of service users six weeks post-discharge from inpatient mental health care. The lack of further progress calls into question whether the support available in the community when patients leave inpatient care is adequate to promote full recovery.Disclosure of InterestNone Declared

Effects of year‐long exposure to elevated pCO2 on the metabolism of back reef and fore reef communities

AbstractThe implications of ocean acidification are acute for calcifying organisms, notably tropical reef corals, for which accretion generally is depressed and dissolution enhanced at reduced seawater pH. We describe year‐long experiments in which back reef and fore reef (17‐m depth) communities from Moorea, French Polynesia, were incubated outdoors under pCO2 regimes reflecting endpoints of representative concentration pathways (RCPs) expected by the end the century. Incubations were completed in three to four flumes (5.0 × 0.3 m, 500 L) in which seawater was refreshed and circulated at 0.1 m s−1, and the response of the communities was evaluated monthly by measurements of net community calcification (NCC) and net community productivity (NCP). For both communities, NCC (but not NCP) was affected by treatments and time, with NCC declining with increasing pCO2, and for the fore reef, becoming negative (i.e., dissolution was occurring) at the highest pCO2 (1067–1433 μatm, RCP8.5). There was scant evidence of community adjustment to reduce the negative effects of ocean acidification, and inhibition of NCC intensified in the back reef as the abundance of massive Porites spp. declined. These results highlight the risks of dissolution under ocean acidification for coral reefs and suggest these effects will be most acute in fore reef habitats. Without signs of amelioration of the negative effects of ocean acidification during year‐long experiments, it is reasonable to expect that the future of coral reefs in acidic seas can be predicted from their current known susceptibility to ocean acidification.

Comparison of Resilience, Personal Recovery, and Quality of Life Measures Pre- and Post-Discharge from Inpatient Mental Health Units in Alberta: Analysis of Control Group Data from a Randomized Trial.

Background: The transition from hospital to community settings for most mental health service users is often hindered by challenges that affect community adjustment and continuity of care. The first few weeks and days after discharge from mental health inpatient units represent a critical phase for many service users. This paper aims to evaluate the changes in the resilience, personal recovery, and quality of life status of individuals with mental health challenges recently discharged from acute mental health care into the community. Methods: Data for this study were collected as part of a pragmatic stepped-wedge cluster-randomized, longitudinal approach in Alberta. A paired sample t-test and Chi-squared/Fisher test were deployed to assess changes from baseline to six weeks in the recovery assessment scale (RAS), brief resilience scale (BRS), and EuroQol-5d (EQ-5D), using an online questionnaire. Results: A total of 306 service users were recruited and 88 completed both baseline and six weeks, giving a response rate of 28.8%. There was no statistically significant change in the level of resilience, recovery and quality of life as measured with the brief resilience scale, recovery assessment scale and EQ-5D from baseline to six weeks (p > 0.05). Conclusions: The study showed that there was neither an improvement nor deterioration in resilience, recovery, or quality of life status of service users six weeks post-discharge from inpatient mental health care. The lack of further progress calls into question whether the support available in the community when patient's leave inpatient care is adequate to promote full recovery. The results justify investigations into the effectiveness of innovative and cost-effective programs such as peer and text-based supportive interventions for service users discharged from inpatient psychiatric care.

Prototype of a sustainable electricity generation system in an indigenous Mazahua community

This study proposes the design and development of a prototype electrohydraulic microgenerator to provide a sustainable energy source for the community of Manza-nillos, Michoacán. Specific objectives include analyzing the state of the art of similar systems in Mexico and the community, as well as identifying requirements in ac-cordance with the UN's 2030 Agenda. The methodology encompasses various stages: analyzing requirements and hydraulic resources, preliminary design considering tech-nical and environmental aspects, compliance with regula-tions and standards, community involvement for feed-back and adjustments, prototyping, and testing to evalu-ate performance and efficiency. An agile modeling ap-proach is adopted, allowing for iterations and improve-ments based on feedback. The study falls within the scope of an exploratory applied research and aims to align with the Sustainable Development Goals of the 2030 Agenda, contributing to energy efficiency, renewa-ble energy, and equitable access to energy. In collabora-tion with the San Juan Zitácuaro council and the Zitácua-ro Technological Institute, the project seeks to create a prototype that addresses the community's energy needs in a sustainable and viable manner in the long term, while promoting community participation and local develop-ment

Ecological barriers mediate spatiotemporal shifts of bird communities at a continental scale

Species' range shifts and local extinctions caused by climate change lead to community composition changes. At large spatial scales, ecological barriers, such as biome boundaries, coastlines, and elevation, can influence a community's ability to shift in response to climate change. Yet, ecological barriers are rarely considered in climate change studies, potentially hindering predictions of biodiversity shifts. We used data from two consecutive European breeding bird atlases to calculate the geographic distance and direction between communities in the 1980s and their compositional best match in the 2010s and modeled their response to barriers. The ecological barriers affected both the distance and direction of bird community composition shifts, with coastlines and elevation having the strongest influence. Our results underscore the relevance of combining ecological barriers and community shift projections for identifying the forces hindering community adjustments under global change. Notably, due to (macro)ecological barriers, communities are not able to track their climatic niches, which may lead to drastic changes, and potential losses, in community compositions in the future.

Habitat management favouring hunted waterbird species prevents distribution changes in response to climate warming

AbstractClimate warming is driving species to shift their geographical distribution poleward to track suitable climatic conditions. Two strategies have been suggested to help species respond to climate warming: facilitating distribution change or improving persistence. We questioned whether habitat management in favour of duck hunting activities interacted with duck responses to climate warming. We studied non‐breeding waterbird community changes (110 species) over 28 years at 851 sites in South‐West Europe, where habitat management is a common practice to attract and hunt ducks. We hypothesized that duck species targeted by habitat management do not need to track temperature changes as much as non‐hunted species, because of the availability of suitable habitats provided by hunting land managers. We used the community temperature index (CTI) to assess the temporal responses of communities and species to climate warming. We compared the effect of hunting status with other functional traits on species responses, controlling for phylogenetic relatedness. The CTI trend has increased over the study period, indicating a community adjustment to climate warming. However, hunted ducks contributed to almost 40% of the negative contributions to this community adjustment, suggesting that hunted ducks do not shift their distribution as much as the other waterbirds do. Winter fidelity associated with the provision of attractive feeding grounds might explain why ducks did not seem to shift their distribution in response to climate warming. This study suggests the broad impact of human activities on wildlife, including on large‐scale distribution processes, and questions the long‐term consequences on duck populations.

The Impact of COVID-19 on Justice-Involved African Americans

This study aimed to explore the impact of COVID-19 on justice-involved African Americans during incarceration and post-release. The study population comprised 25 African American men and women recently released from prison. A qualitative phenomenological approach was employed, and the reflexive thematic analysis process was utilized. In addition, semi-structured interviews were conducted and imported into NVivo 11 qualitative research software. The analysis revealed four major themes: stress, reentry, substance use, and community adjustment. The findings implied a need for (1) policy creation and revision to prepare jails and prisons for public health crises; (2) more realistic post-release coping strategies to prepare individuals to face post-release obstacles, such as COVID-19, housing, employment, relapse, and social reintegration; (3) improvements in data collection and transparency in disseminating such data to enhance healthcare services in jails and prisons; and (4) additional evidence-based research to address current concerns with data availability, misreporting, reporting delays, testing rate differences, and inconsistencies in population estimates.

Contextual and Behavioral Correlates of Coping Strategies Among an Ethnically Diverse Sample of Urban Adolescents in the Midwestern United States.

Coping is recognized as an important life skill. In the present cross-sectional analysis, early adolescents' relationships with their caregivers (support, conflict) and exposure to stressors (uncontrollable life events, violence) were examined as contextual correlates of both positive and negative coping strategies. Coping strategies were examined as mediators of associations between adolescents' family and community contexts and adjustment outcomes (externalizing symptoms, internalizing symptoms, academic investment). Participants were recruited from an urban Pre-K-8 school and Boys and Girls Club. Adolescents who reported greater support from caregivers reported greater engagement in all forms of positive coping (behavioral/problem-focused coping, cognitive/emotion-focused coping, and coping through seeking support); they also reported less engagement in coping through anger and helplessness. Adolescents who reported greater conflict with caregivers or violence exposure reported greater engagement in coping through avoidance, anger, and helplessness. Problem-focused coping, coping through anger, and coping through helplessness mediated associations between different contextual factors and outcomes.

Bacillus subtilis reduces antibiotic resistance genes of animal sludge in vermicomposting by improving heat stress tolerance of Eisenia foetida and bacterial community adjustment

Antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) in livestock industry have been recognized as a kind of pollutant. The effect of Bacillus subtilis (B. subtilis) as an additive for the reduction of ARGs in animal sludge from livestock and poultry wastewater treatment plant during vermicomposting was investigated. We also evaluated the oxidative stress level and growth of earthworms, Eisenia foetida, bacterial community succession, and the quality of the end products. Two treatments were conducted using B. subtilis, one at 18 °C and another at 28 °C. Controls were setup without the bacteria. The results showed that inoculation of B. subtilis promoted the degradation of organics at 28 °C and increased the germination index to 236%. The increased activities of the superoxide dismutase (1.69 U/mg pr) and catalase (8.05 U/mg pr) and the decreased activity of malondialdehyde (0.02 nmol/mg pr) by B. subtilis at 28 °C showed that the earthworms were relieved of heat stress. The addition of B. subtilis reduced the abundance of 32 target ARGs, including integron (intI-1), transposase (IS613) and resistant genes, such as sulfonamide (sul2), quinolone (oprJ), macrolide-lincosamide-streptogramin group B (ermF, ermB), tetracycline (tetL-02, tetX), β-lactama (blaOXA10-01) and aminoglycoside [strB, aac(6′)-Ib(aka aacA4)-01, aac(6′)-Ib(aka aacA4)-02]. Organic matter degrading Membranicola, Paludisphaera, Sphingorhabdus and uncultured bacterium belonging to the order Chitinophagales, nitrifying and nitrogen-fixing Singulisphaera and Allorhizobium-Neorhizobium-Pararhizobium-Rhizobium, soil remediating Achromobacter, and plant growth promoting Kaistia, Galbibacter and Ilumatobacter were increased significantly (P < 0.05). However, the growth of harmful bacteria such as Burkholderiaceae was inhibited in the vermicompost. In earthworm guts, the probiotic Mesorhizobium was promoted, while the pathogenic uncultured bacterium belonging to the family Enterobacteriaceae was reduced. Besides, B. subtilis enhanced the host relationships between bacteria and ARGs. These findings might be helpful in the removal of ARGs in animal wastes and in understanding the synergy between earthworms and microorganisms.

Resisting vs. Persisting: Different Types of Self-Control Predict Different Outcomes Following Incarceration

Introduction: Trait self-control is one of the most robust predictors of important life outcomes. Recent evidence suggests at least two domains of self-control: inhibitory self-control (refraining from more attractive but goal-inconsistent behaviors) and initiatory self-control (engaging in and persisting in less attractive but goal-consistent behaviors). Methods: We examined longitudinal associations between these two self-control domains and subsequent post-incarceration behaviors in 492 jail inmates with a combination of self-reported questionnaires and official arrest records. Results: The two constructs were moderately associated, evidencing a similar-yet-distinct association of the same magnitude as depression and anxiety. Structural equation modeling demonstrated that inhibitory self-control uniquely predicted less recidivism and substance dependence, and better community adjustment. Initiatory self-control uniquely predicted less recidivism and better community adjustment. As expected, inhibitory self-control was a significantly better predictor of substance dependence than initiatory self-control. Discussion: These results have theoretical implications for the measurement of self-control and practical implications for the prediction of impactful post-incarceration behaviors and more precise interventions targeting specific self-control deficits.

Influence of Incorporating Decomposition Agent in Oil Rapeseed Return Practice on Fungal Community, Soil Fertility and the Cotton Yield

Oil rapeseed biomass return plays a critical part in agricultural crop production. It is therefore necessary to widen the knowledge on how the microbial community adjustments actuated by straw biomass return under the application of decomposition agent advantages the quality of soil and cotton productivity. The experiment therefore aimed at applying soil molecular (sequencing, alpha and beta diversity analysis) and chemical analysis (alkaline hydrolysis-diffusion, titration and calorimetric) techniques to study the contribution of 3 treatments (no straw return, straw return under decomposition agent and straw return under no decomposition agent) on the diversity of the fungal community, soil quality and cotton productivity. The result showed that fungal OTUs were most abundant within the straw return treatments than the no straw return treatment and this was dominated by ecologically significant genera such as Apodospora, Zopfiella, Staphylotrichum, leptogium and Trechispora. Moreover, it was shown that no straw return treatment had statistically significant lower community diversity under all the indexes as compared to the other two treatments (P &lt;0.05). In conclusion, study therefore confirmed the beneficial contribution of oil rapeseed straw return to the biological (fungal) and physical (pH, N, P and K) quality of the soil, resulting to improved cotton yield parameters.

Unaccompanied Immigrant Children in ORR Foster Care: Community Level Facilitators of Adjustment Identified by Service Providers.

Purpose: While many studies address immigrant integration, few focus on the adjustment process for unaccompanied immigrant children in foster care in the United States- and even fewer look at community level prevention and intervention strategies for positive youth adjustment. This study uses a human rights framework to examine community level facilitators- both prevention and interventions- that aid the adjustment for unaccompanied immigrant children in foster care as they navigate life in the US. Method: Seventy-nine service providers that work with unaccompanied immigrant children participated in 22 focus groups/interviews. Open coding was used to create a codebook, and then data were qualitatively analyzed using deductive and axial coding. Results: The major prevention strategies for community adjustment include welcoming communities and inter-agency collaborations. The major intervention strategies for systems level adjustment include community relationships, access to healthcare, and the church as an institution. Discussion: Implications include advocating for funding and programming to support mentors for every child, advocating for welcoming policies, and engaging unaccompanied immigrant children in research using participatory approaches.

Implementing Psychosocial Support Groups in U.S. Refugee Resettlement

As refugee resettlement to a new country can involve uncertainty and stress, recently resettled refugees in the U.S. may benefit from psychosocial support groups. This pilot project assesses two group intervention approaches provided by resettlement agencies in three U.S. states. The purpose of the project was to assess participant feedback on group benefits and limitations, to evaluate the feasibility of group implementation across resettlement agency sites, and to assess group effects on participant psychosocial outcomes (emotional distress, quality of life, social support, self-efficacy, and resilience). Ninety-seven refugees from multiple countries of origin participated in one of twelve psychosocial support groups. Eight groups received a community adjustment support group curricula and four groups received culturally adapted cognitive behavioral therapy. Within focus groups, participants described the value of group participation in building understanding, skills, and social connections. Group facilitators reported satisfactory adherence levels. Analyses of Cohen’s d effect size, bivariate, and multivariate findings indicate improvements on some outcomes subsequent to group participation, as well as some differences in outcomes by group modality. Such programs may provide a beneficial component of U.S. resettlement services. Additional research and support for psychosocial group interventions among refugee communities is needed.

LIVED EXPERIENCES OF PUBLIC SCHOOL HEADS ASSIGNED IN REMOTE AREA

School heads in remote areas face several challenges on their journey of providing quality education. This qualitative phenomenological research study investigated the lived experiences, coping mechanism, and insights gained by 12 public school heads assigned in remote schools of Division of Davao del Sur. Research participants were not a resident of the school they were assigned. The researcher used a validated semi – structured interview guide for individual in-depth interview and focused-group discussion. Colaizzi’s method was used to analyze the data gathered. The result shows that school heads in remote areas faced physical discomforts, emotional discomforts, teaching and community adjustments, and work consolations. Their coping mechanisms include physical enduring practices, emotional surviving technique, teaching and community coping technique, and positive work atmosphere They developed personal realization, social realization, and professional realization. It was concluded that despite the challenges encountered, they established their sense of commitment toward their vocation and willingness to continue their journey. The findings of this study may help the Local Government Unit officials to create an ordinance to cover safety and security of the teachers. The officials of the Division Office may provide an additional payment or insurance to the teachers and a wellness program may be organized to destress the teachers in remote area. The school heads may improve their ways on managing the school by partnering with non – government parties. KEYWORDS: Educational management, lived experiences, school heads, public school, remote area

Alternate wetting–drying enhances soil nitrogen availability by altering organic nitrogen partitioning in rice-microbe system

Alternate wetting and drying (AWD) irrigation influences soil nutrient cycling and the functioning of soil microorganisms. However, the effects of AWD on organic nitrogen (ON) partitioning in rice-microbe ecosystems and soil microbial communities are poorly understood. A root-box microcosm experiment with two rice varieties (Nipponbare, Nip; Yangdao 6, YD6), two irrigation regimes (conventional flood irrigation (CF); AWD) and three N application levels (zero N, N0; medium N, N1; high N, N2) was performed based on the 13C,15N-labelled glycine and 13C-phospholipid fatty acids (PLFA) techniques. Compared to CF, AWD increased soil dissolved oxygen, microbial growth and the enzymes related to N transformation, thus enhancing rice growth and the N utilization index (NUI). Approximately 4.9–10.3% and 7.7–13.6% of the exogenous glycine was directly utilized by Nip and YD6 seedlings, respectively, and its ratio increased with increasing N levels, whereas 4.4–11.2% and 4.6–10.3% were incorporated into soil microbes. It seems that rice has an appreciable capacity to utilize organic N despite fierce competition with soil microbes. The 13C:15N ratio showed that 12.5–37.5% and 11.0–41.0% of the added glycine was taken up intact by soil microorganisms in the rhizospheres of Nip and YD6. At the N1 and N2 levels, AWD increased rice 15N-glycine uptake but decreased microbial 15N-glycine uptake. Rice intact glycine uptake and soil inorganic N contents were positively correlated with rice biomass and NUI, indicating that the enhanced inorganic N under AWD is beneficial for soil ON availability and rice growth. Gram-negative and general bacteria were the dominant competitors with rice for soil ON. AWD increased the contents of gram-negative bacteria and fungi and the ratio of fungi:bacteria in rhizosphere soils. Collectively, AWD creates a good rhizosphere oxygen environment for rice and microbial growth. ON partitioning in the rice-microbe system and the adaptive adjustment of the microbial community play important roles in modulating soil nutrients for optimal rice growth.

A Community Navigation Scale for Persons With Serious Mental Illnesses.

The recovery paradigm in the context of serious mental illnesses pertains to several characteristics of community functioning, adjustment, and integration, among other constructs. Additional rating scales would be beneficial for measuring various facets of community functioning for research that is recovery oriented as opposed to symptom focused. The Community Navigation Scale was developed as part of the Opening Doors to Recovery project to address several aspects of navigating community resources. After item development, the 21-item Community Navigation Scale was used across two studies with 340 participants who had serious mental illnesses. Factor analysis revealed three potential factors, and subscales were computed. The social and physical well-being subscale (seven items, Cronbach's α=0.82) addressed community involvement, volunteering, finding enjoyable activities, and engaging in positive health behaviors. The accessing external resources subscale (nine items, Cronbach's α=0.80) tapped one's ability to obtain needed resources, ranging from medications to housing and from small appliances to classes in the community. The home and self-maintenance subscale (five items, Cronbach's α=0.73) measured abilities around shopping, cooking, cell phone use, house cleaning, and personal grooming and hygiene. Initial validity of the subscales was suggested through correlations with the Multnomah Community Ability Scale (r=0.65, 0.55, and 0.41 for social and physical well-being, accessing external resources, and home and self-maintenance, respectively). The Community Navigation Scale assesses dimensions of community functioning among persons with serious mental illnesses and may add to the array of research and clinical measures pertinent to recovery outcomes. Additional research on its psychometric properties is warranted.