title: Impacts of Social Network on Therapeutic Community Participation: A Follow-up Survey of Data Gathered after Ya'an Earthquake.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  In recent years, natural disasters and the accompanying health risks have become more frequent, and rehabilitation work has become an important part of government performance. On one hand, social networks play an important role in participants' therapeutic community participation and physical & mental recovery. On the other hand, therapeutic communities with widespread participation can also contribute to community recovery after disaster.
  
  
  METHODS
  This paper described a field study in an earthquake-stricken area of Ya'an. A set of 3-stage follow-up data was obtained concerning with the villagers' participation in therapeutic community, social network status, demographic background, and other factors. The Hierarchical linear Model (HLM) method was used to investigate the determinants of social network on therapeutic community participation.
  
  
  RESULTS
  First, social networks have significantly impacts on the annual changes of therapeutic community participation. Second, there were obvious differences in education between groups mobilized by the self-organization and local government. However, they all exerted the mobilization force through the acquaintance networks. Third, local cadre networks of villagers could negatively influence the activities of self-organized therapeutic community, while with positively influence in government-organized therapeutic activities.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This paper suggests that relevant government departments need to focus more on the reconstruction and cultivation of villagers' social network and social capital in the process of post-disaster recovery. These findings contribute to better understandings of how social networks influence therapeutic community participation, and what role local government can play in post-disaster recovery and public health improvement after natural disasters.
authors.affiliation: School of Political Science and Public Administration, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China , China.
authors.forename: Zhichao
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: School of Political Science and Public Administration, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China , China.
authors.forename: Yao
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.affiliation: School of Political Science and Public Administration, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China , China.
authors.forename: Liming
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Suo
keywords: Local government; Self-organization; Social network; Therapeutic community participation