Personal Outcomes in Community‐based Participatory Research Partnerships: A Cross‐site Mixed Methods Study

• Published in: American journal of community psychology Vol. 66; no. 3-4; pp. 439 - 449
• Main Authors: Rodríguez Espinosa, Patricia, Sussman, Andrew, Pearson, Cynthia R., Oetzel, John G., Wallerstein, Nina
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Blackwell Science Ltd 01.12.2020
• Subjects: Action research; Capacity; Case studies; Community involvement; Community research; Community‐based participatory research; Community‐engaged research; Community–academic research partnerships; Fairness; Health disparities; Health equity; Health problems; Health research; Inequality; Mixed methods research; Participatory research; Partnerships; Personal outcomes; Community-based participatory research; Community-engaged research; Health equity; Personal outcomes; Community-academic research partnerships; Capacity
• ISSN: 0091-0562; 1573-2770; 1573-2770
• DOI: 10.1002/ajcp.12446

Community‐based participatory research (CBPR) has been embraced by diverse populations to address health inequities within their communities. CBPR has been shown to produce favorable health outcomes, but little is known about personal outcomes (e.g., individual growth and capacities) resulting from the direct involvement in a CBPR partnership. We empirically examine which CBPR partnerships’ processes and practices are associated with personal outcomes. We hypothesize that higher levels of collaborative approaches and adherence to CBPR principles and practices would be associated with personal outcomes. Based on a national cross‐site CBPR study, Research for Improved Health, we utilized mixed‐method data from a comprehensive community‐engagement survey (N = 450) and seven in‐depth case studies to explore the hypothesized relationships. Our multivariate mixed‐effects model revealed the importance of various partnering practices. Relationship dynamics emerged as key predictors including the following: respect in the partnership, voice and influence in decision‐making among partners, and stewardship. Qualitative findings highlighted individual, partnership, and community‐level impacts, within and beyond the partnership. Our findings have implications for CBPR best practices and highlight the potential role of personal outcomes for partnerships’ sustainability, long‐term outcomes, and health equity research. Highlights Assessing CBPR partnerships' processes and practices and their related outcomes is imperative. We explored how partnering processes and practices relate to personal outcomes for research partners. Personal outcomes included degrees, health equity knowledge, changes in biases and healthy behaviors. Partnership relationship processes (e.g., dialogue, democratic decision‐making) were key predictors. Findings support partners’ capacity development as key for sustainability and long‐term outcomes.