Community-Based Participatory Research Conceptual Model: Community Partner Consultation and Face Validity

Abstract

A national community-based participatory research (CBPR) team developed a conceptual model of CBPR partnerships to understand the contribution of partnership processes to improved community capacity and health outcomes. With the model primarily developed through academic literature and expert consensus building, we sought community input to assess face validity and acceptability. Our research team conducted semi-structured focus groups with six partnerships nationwide. Participants validated and expanded on existing model constructs and identified new constructs based on "real-world" praxis, resulting in a revised model. Four cross-cutting constructs were identified: trust development, capacity, mutual learning, and power dynamics. By empirically testing the model, we found community face validity and capacity to adapt the model to diverse contexts. We recommend partnerships use and adapt the CBPR model and its constructs, for collective reflection and evaluation, to enhance their partnering practices and achieve their health and research goals.

Keywords: community and public health; community based participatory research; focus groups; participatory action research (PAR); qualitative analysis; reflexivity; relationships; research participation; theory development; trust; validity.

© The Author(s) 2014.

Figures

Figure 1

Conceptual Logic Model of Community-Based Participatory Research: Processes to Outcomes (2008)

Figure 2. CBPR Conceptual Model: 2013

Adapted from: Wallerstein, Oetzel, Duran, Tafoya, Belone, Rae, “What Predicts Outcomes in CBPR,” in CBPR for Health From Process to Outcomes. Minkler & Wallerstein (eds). San Francisco, Jossey-Bass, 2008); and Wallerstein & Duran, CBPR contributions to intervention research: The intersection of science and practice to improve health equity. Am. J. Public Health; S1, 2010: 100, S40–S46.