Examining and evaluating multilevel communication within a mixed-methods, community-based participatory research project in a rural, minority–majority U.S. Town

Authors

Angela L. Palmer-Wackerly, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow
Maria S. Reyes, Lexington Regional Health Center, Lexington, NE
Sahra H. Ali, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Kimberly Gocchi Carrasco, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow
Patrick Habecker, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow
Kristen Houska, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Virginia Chaidez, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow
Jordan Soliz, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow
Julie A. Tippens, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow
Kathryn Holland, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow
Lisa M. PytlikZillig, University of NebraskaFollow
Kali Patterson, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow
Kirk Dombrowski, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow

ORCID IDs

Angela L. Palmer-Wackerly http://orcid.org/0000-0001-8384-5225

Patrick Habecker http://orcid.org/0000-0003-4435-1593

Julie A. Tippens http://orcid.org/0000-0003-0465-3570

Date of this Version

12-2-2020

Citation

Angela L. Palmer-Wackerly, Maria S. Reyes, Sahra H. Ali, Kim Gocchi Carrasco, Patrick Habecker, Kristen Houska, Virginia Chaidez, Jordan Soliz, Julie A. Tippens, Kathryn J. Holland, Lisa Pytlik Zillig, Kali Patterson, & Kirk Dombrowski (2020): Examining and evaluating multilevel communication within a mixed-methods, community-based participatory research project in a rural, minority–majority U.S. Town, Journal of Applied Communication Research, doi: 10.1080/00909882.2020.1851042

Comments

Copyright © 2020 National Communication Association; published by Routledge/Taylor & Francis. Used by permission.

Abstract

Community-based participatory research (CBPR) has been shown to improve health and social well-being by including diverse, marginalized community voices within academic–community partnerships. Although CBPR has gained in popularity, an explicit examination and evaluation of communication processes and outcomes throughout an entire CBPR project is lacking. Here, we analyze interviews with 10 stakeholders (i.e. 4 academic and 6 community partners) about their experiences in a three-phase, mixed-methods project exploring Hispanic and Somali community members’ perceptions of healthcare needs and access in a rural U.S. community. Results reflect that CBPR endeavors include communication challenges, successes, and ongoing tensions not simply between the academic group and community partners but also within these groups. We encourage academic– community research partners to devote considerable efforts to strengthening effective communication between and within multiple identity groups throughout an entire CBPR project (including evaluation) as they work to create, complete, and sustain project goals and outcomes.