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Community Group Model Building as a Method for Engaging Participants and Mobilising Action in Public Health

Author

Listed:
  • Sarah Gerritsen

    (School of Population Health, University of Auckland, Auckland 1142, New Zealand)

  • Sophia Harré

    (School of Population Health, University of Auckland, Auckland 1142, New Zealand)

  • David Rees

    (Synergia Consulting Ltd, Auckland 1011, New Zealand)

  • Ana Renker-Darby

    (School of Population Health, University of Auckland, Auckland 1142, New Zealand)

  • Ann E. Bartos

    (School of Environment, University of Auckland, Auckland 1142, New Zealand)

  • Wilma E. Waterlander

    (Department of Public Health, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, 1105 Amsterdam, The Netherlands)

  • Boyd Swinburn

    (School of Population Health, University of Auckland, Auckland 1142, New Zealand)

Abstract

Group model building (GMB) is a qualitative method aimed at engaging stakeholders to collectively consider the causes of complex problems. Tackling inequities in community nutrition is one such complex problem, as the causes are driven by a variety of interactions between individual factors, social structures, local environments and the global food system. This methods paper describes a GMB process that utilises three system mapping tools in a study with members of a multicultural, low-income community to explore declining fruit and vegetable intake in children. The tools were: (1) graphs over time, which captures the community’s understanding of an issue; (2) cognitive mapping, which enables participants to think systemically about the causes and consequences of the issue; (3) causal loop diagrams, which describe feedback loops that reinforce the issue and identify potential actions. Cognitive mapping, a tool not usually associated with GMB, was added to the research process to support the gradual development of participants’ thinking and develops the skills needed to tackle an issue from a systems perspective. We evaluate the benefits and impact of these three tools, particularly in engaging participants and increasing understanding of systems thinking in order to develop and mobilise action. The tools could be adapted for use in other community-based research projects. Key learnings were the value of genuine partnership with a local organisation for longevity of the project, recruitment of key decisionmakers from the community early in the process, and allowing time to create sustainable change.

Suggested Citation

  • Sarah Gerritsen & Sophia Harré & David Rees & Ana Renker-Darby & Ann E. Bartos & Wilma E. Waterlander & Boyd Swinburn, 2020. "Community Group Model Building as a Method for Engaging Participants and Mobilising Action in Public Health," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(10), pages 1-12, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:17:y:2020:i:10:p:3457-:d:358628
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. D F Andersen & J A M Vennix & G P Richardson & E A J A Rouwette, 2007. "Group model building: problem structuring, policy simulation and decision support," Journal of the Operational Research Society, Palgrave Macmillan;The OR Society, vol. 58(5), pages 691-694, May.
    2. John D. Sterman, 1989. "Modeling Managerial Behavior: Misperceptions of Feedback in a Dynamic Decision Making Experiment," Management Science, INFORMS, vol. 35(3), pages 321-339, March.
    3. Sterman, John., 1994. "Learning in and about complex systems," Working papers 3660-94., Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Sloan School of Management.
    4. Peter S. Hovmand & David F. Andersen & Etiënne Rouwette & George P. Richardson & Krista Rux & Annaliese Calhoun, 2012. "Group Model‐Building ‘Scripts’ as a Collaborative Planning Tool," Systems Research and Behavioral Science, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 29(2), pages 179-193, March.
    5. Sterman, John D., 1989. "Misperceptions of feedback in dynamic decision making," Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes, Elsevier, vol. 43(3), pages 301-335, June.
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    Cited by:

    1. Pippa McKelvie-Sebileau & David Rees & David Tipene-Leach & Erica D’Souza & Boyd Swinburn & Sarah Gerritsen, 2022. "Community Co-Design of Regional Actions for Children’s Nutritional Health Combining Indigenous Knowledge and Systems Thinking," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(9), pages 1-14, April.
    2. Wilma E. Waterlander & Angie Luna Pinzon & Arnoud Verhoeff & Karen den Hertog & Teatske Altenburg & Coosje Dijkstra & Jutka Halberstadt & Roel Hermans & Carry Renders & Jacob Seidell & Amika Singh & M, 2020. "A System Dynamics and Participatory Action Research Approach to Promote Healthy Living and a Healthy Weight among 10–14-Year-Old Adolescents in Amsterdam: The LIKE Programme," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(14), pages 1-18, July.
    3. Monica Bensberg & Andrew Joyce & Erin Wilson, 2021. "Building a Prevention System: Infrastructure to Strengthen Health Promotion Outcomes," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(4), pages 1-18, February.
    4. Kathya Lorena Cordova-Pozo & Hubert P. L. M. Korzilius & Etiënne A. J. A. Rouwette & Gabriela Píriz & Rolando Herrera-Gutierrez & Graciela Cordova-Pozo & Miguel Orozco, 2021. "Using Systems Dynamics for Capturing the Multicausality of Factors Affecting Health System Capacity in Latin America while Responding to the COVID-19 Pandemic," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(19), pages 1-19, September.

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