Community integration: a useful construct, but what does it really mean?
The primary objective of this paper is to contribute to a clearer understanding of the construct of community integration. Rehabilitation literature is discussed in relation to three measures of community integration: the AIMS Interview, Community Integration Measure and Community Integration Questionnaire. Results of a principal components analysis with varimax rotation indicated that the measures are independent and coherent. Significant correlations were not found between total scores on the three measures and problem behaviour or quality of life. However, analysis of individual items on the scales yielded one significant correlation between the first item on the Community Integration Measure (i.e. sense of belonging) and quality of life. The need for a clear statement in future research regarding the definition of community integration is emphasized, and inclusion of both subjective perceptions and objective indicators of community integration is recommended.
Minnes
Patricia
P
Department of Psychology, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada. minnesp@psyc.queensu.ca
Carlson
Peter
P
McColl
Mary Ann
MA
Nolte
Mary Lou
ML
Johnston
Jane
J
Buell
Katherine
K
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000328:Adult; D001290:Attitude; D001930:Brain Injuries / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007406:Interview, Psychological; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011593:Psychology, Social; D011788:Quality of Life; D012649:Self Concept; D012925:Social Conformity; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires