A Study of Community Solidarity-An Exploration for Effective Community Practice

지역사회결속력(Community Solidarity)에 대한 탐색적 연구

This paper examines the level of community solidarity in an administrative district in Seoul, Korea. This paper focuses on the following questions: what is the level of community solidarity in the district? and what are the major predictors of community solidarity?. Using the data from the 2000 community survey about residents' needs conducted by the welfare administration office of the district, this paper attempts to answer the above research questions. In analyzing the effect of community solidarity, this paper focuses on the following four predictor categories: individual characteristics; community related characteristics such as degree of marginalization; community participation, and community problems. Results are as follows: (1) the average of community solidarity is 3.1, using 5 points scale; and (2) the variables such as marginalization and community problem have a negative effect on the level of community solidarity; and (3) community participation has a positive effect on the level of community solidarity. Through the empirical analysis. this paper provides valuable knowledge about the level of community solidarity and effects of community participation, marginalization, and community problem on community solidarity. Finally, this paper discusses implications for effective community practice on the basis of the exploratory findings about community solidarity in Korea.