Enhancing Generosity and Individual Resilience: The Role of Positive Environments for the Development of Caring Communities

Christoph Steinebach (Zurich University of Applied Sciences, School of Applied Psychology)
Robert Sempach (Migros Foundation)
Volker Schulte (University of Applied Sciences, Northwestern Switzerland)

The residential quarter as integral part of the urban culture is the central spot where integration can succeed. On an individual level mental health and wellbeing become an important corner stone of resilience and goal of health promotion across the lifespan. Interventions have to be sustainable. For this they have to meet the basic needs of those who offer help as well as of those receiving help. It is becoming increasingly clear that a consideration of basic needs of the individual, their strengths, and resources must complement the traditionally on deficits oriented interventions. Research on positive attitudes and emotions line out the positive effects of needs focused interventions by enhancing e.g. empathy and well-being. Following the bio-psycho-social model of development, groups of mutual support which comprise needs focused interventions e.g. in schools or quarters seem to bridge the gap between individual strengths, attitudes, and behavior and positive development in community settings. In a quantitative surveys as well as qualitative interviews members of “Tavolata”-groups (table communities of adults, N=120) have been asked about their attitudes, motives, and their evaluation of the meetings. Theoretical aspects, results, and perspectives for practice are discussed: In order for group members to become permanently involved, group meetings should address autonomy, belonging, generosity, and mastery as the basic needs of group members. As the results show, generosity can certainly be understood as a basic need, at least as a relevant key variable. Being committed and helpful also promotes the transfer of positive experiences with Caring Communities into everyday life. This transfer into everyday life is also supported by certain characteristics of the neighbourhood's living environment. The results underline importance of the social and physical environment for the development of positive groups as well as for individual resilience and well-being in the city