The Effects of a Community Animation Program in a Rural Setting on the Participants’ Quality of Life

Abstract

Background: This study presents the evaluation of a Community Animation Program (CAP) conducted in a rural town in Spain aimed towards improving the participants' Quality of Life. The program includes animation, culture, and leisure activities to improve not only the inhabitants' Subjective Quality of Life but also social cohesion and enhance a sense of community belonging. Methods: A repeated measure pre/post-test design with an experimental and equivalent control group (55 participants per group) was used to evaluate the efficacy of the Program. Instruments included measures of Quality and Satisfaction of Life, Happiness, Positive and Negative Affect, Mental Health, Self-esteem, Loneliness and Community Support. The number of participants practically included the whole universe of town members participating in community activities. Results: The program improved the participants' Quality of Life, with a stronger impact on the relational, community and environmental dimensions as well as psychological wellbeing. Community animation prevents isolation and loneliness and creates social cohesion. Social interactions improve life satisfaction of the participants. Conclusion: The CAP enhances integration, leisure and interaction and generates more positive affect, happiness and social wellbeing. Promoting recreation centres and programs in rural settings may improve inhabitants' health and general wellbeing as well as enhancing social connectedness.

Physical Activity Participation in Rural Areas: A Case Study

“…Inequalities in general, and in health services and opportunities between urban and rural areas in particular, have been thoroughly studied [1,2]. Urbanization and migration have been highlighted as the most relevant aspects in recent developments regarding social inequalities in health.…”

“…Rurality can be conceptualized in terms of size and/or density. The Spanish Law of Sustainable Development of the Rural Environment (approved on 13 December 2007, see reference) defines the rural environment as the geographic space formed by the aggregation of municipalities or smaller local entities with a population of <30,000 inhabitants and a density of <100 inhabitants per km 2 , which is similar to parameters of the Eurostat or the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) [5].…”