Mental health promotion strategies and their effectiveness in local communities: sociocultural integration and multiple realities perspective

Abstract

Seven communities took part in a health promotion project. They were investigated in the beginning of the project period, T1, 1991, and followed at T2, 2000 and T3, 2010. We have analyzed change over time in the importance of eight dimensions of community integration, changes in quality of life and changes in community consensus. In addition, process notes, records from group meetings, comments from community leaders, photographs and evaluation by project director were analyzed. We focus on two of the Lofoten communities that functioned well during the project period, but during the follow-up period exhibited contrasting patterns of development. To maintain positive changes over time, a collective leadership has to be developed and also a structure that is flexible with regard to including new people in leadership positions. The building of a bridge and subsequent closing of a school and emigration of resource people made negative contribution to community disintegration.