Community coherence, collective efficacy and civic engagement in student and youth councils: The mediating effect of community resilience

Abstract

This study examines relationships between community coherence and collective efficiency, and civic engagement, and the role of community resilience within such relationships, as seen in youth council frameworks. The participants included a group of 223 members of youth councils in Israel and a group of 568 non-members, aged 14–18. The quantitative research tool comprised the Civic Engagement questionnaire; Conjoint Community Resiliency Assessment Measure; Sence of Community Coherence Questionnaire; and Collective Efficacy Questionnaire. Positive relationships were found between community coherence and collective efficiency, and civic engagement for both groups, yet community resilience was only a mediating factor in this relationship for the non-member group.