engleski

Psychosocial work as facilitator of social capital in community

Although the Homeland war in Croatia is over for more than a decade, it has left log-term consequences, especially in the areas directly affected by war. Long period of continuous psychosocial work in social reconstruction of post-war community will be presented as well as some empirical research data. Research findings and psychosocial work with displaced people and refugees in context of growing up in post-war conditions have discovered both unwanted as well as desirable outcomes. Being involved in continuous work through community-based psychosocial assistance program aimed to facilitate resettlement of displaced persons and social reconstruction of war-affected communities. Upon completion of this program, empowered professionals within community took initiative and proceeded psychosocial work through their own initiatives. Results of qualitative research relating to their current life and work in post-war community will be presented. Paper takes into retrospective from early professional application of psychosocial assistance in war and post-war period to the later process of community activism through active involvement of local professionals who initiated and continued with the similar activities. Further more, they started their own non-governmental organization and unified their efforts and resources to address local issues, broadening the social capital and civil society within community.

psychosocial assistance; social reconstruction of community; social capital

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