Sense of community, fatalism and participation in socio-economic crisis contexts

Abstract

This study analyses the relationship among sense of community, fatalism and participation in the context of the current socio-economic crisis. In order to do this, it establishes differences in these variables according to certain socio-economic factors: having a job, perceived social class and monthly income. A distinction is made between two types of participation: community participation; and socio-political participation. Based on a sample of 759 people, the results revealed an average level of sense of community, a medium-low level of fatalism and low levels of both types of participation. Significant correlations between the variables were obtained: the two dimensions of participation are positively correlated with sense of community and negatively correlated with fatalism. Regression analysis showed that sense of community and fatalism are predictors for participatory behaviour. Thus, the feeling of belonging to a community fuels participation in it, either through community behaviour or through behaviour that seeks a social change. However, the belief that the future is already written inhibits both types of participation. Perception of socioeconomic status also has influence in this fact.