Rising above a crisis: resilience processes and community well-being

• Main Author: Campbell, Monique Goguen
• Format: Thesis
• Language: English
• Published: Memorial University of Newfoundland 2011
• Subjects: Newfoundland; atlantic cod; North Atlantic
• Online Access: https://research.library.mun.ca/12236/; https://research.library.mun.ca/12236/1/Campbell_MoniqueGoguen.pdf

Background The closure of the North Atlantic cod fishery in 1992 has had devastating economic, social and health impacts on coastal communities in Newfoundland and Labrador. However, considerable variability in adaptation has been noted between communities that were formally dependant on the fishery. Aim This thesis builds on previous research by exploring the community-level social and economic processes that contribute to the variability in adaptation measured through an expansive conceptualization of community well-being. Method Two communities differing in employment recovery during the 1990s were selected for multi-method case studies. Quantitative and qualitative data on community well-being, social processes (social capital), and economic processes (local economic development) were integrated into the analysis. Results Ratings of most community well-being dimensions were generally positive in both communities. However, Dorytown residents reported less alcohol abuse, less crime, greater ability to be involved in decision-making, greater satisfaction with community characteristics such as greenery and parks, water quality and services from the local council. Residents of Dorytown were also more hopeful for the future, and perceived greater employment availability in the region. Some mental and physical health indicators were poorer for both communities than for the Province, with the exception of self-rated health and heavy alcohol consumption. Dorytown had lower hospitalization rates than Bigcove, and less modemte and heavy drinking. Community well-being findings for Bigcove were more consistent with documented effects of economic decline. In tenns of economic and social processes, employment in Bigcove had been more dependent on the volatile fishery whereas Dorytown community groups planned and executed an economic development strategy using federal and provincial programming dollars, volunteered labour from the community, and natural resources within the • community. Residents in both communities ...