Evaluación participativa de la dinámica psicosocial comunitaria desde la perspectiva del fortalecimiento comunitario

Abstract

From the perspective of Latin American Community Psychology, which stresses the analysis and promotion of community strengthening processes, a Participatory Action Research is presented, with the aim of contributing to improve the capacity for organisation and collective action in a neighborhood in Temuco. In this framework, this article depicts an evaluation strategy of community psychosocial dynamics. The strategy for data collection considered mixed methods and participatory methodologies, which included systematic reports to the community. The methodological process is systematized, and criteria are suggested for the participatory evaluation of community psychosocial dynamics, which is an important aspect for communities that have experienced weakened conditions for collective action. It is concluded that this integrated evaluation system is useful for communities, given that it allows them to focus their attention, analysis and intervention on these dynamics, providing evidence and guidelines in order to do that. It is also a contribution for public policies programmes, which often omit the psychosocial elements of community dynamics, as a pivotal aspect for the mobilization of processes and resources to improve life conditions.