Sense of Belonging and Commitment as Mediators of the Effect of Community Features on Active Involvement in the Community

Abstract

Citizens’ active involvement in the community is aimed at improving their welfare and addressing social needs and other urban issues. The current study investigated factors that contribute to such involvement, and empirically examined the theoretical assumption that community belonging and commitment mediate their effect on community involvement. The sample consisted of 1,014 Israeli respondents who completed a self–report questionnaire tapping community features (size, social support, three dimensions of citizens’ perceptions of local services, and leaders), mediating variables representing the individual's attitudes toward the community (belonging, commitment), and the outcome of active involvement in the community. Path analysis supported by indirect effect examination indicated that the effect of some variables was fully mediated by community belonging and commitment. Elsewhere, the mediation reversed the direction of the effect, changing it from negative to positive. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed, including operative suggestions for professionals in the field of community interventions.