Prevention in Community Psychology

In community psychology, prevention focuses on reducing or eliminating risk factors for

negative outcomes, promoting protective factors, and empowering communities to sustain
positive changes. Prevention efforts aim to address social and structural contributors to issues
like mental health, substance abuse, violence, and poverty.

• Goal of Prevention: The primary goal is to anticipate potential problems before they
arise, reducing the need for intervention after issues have become severe.
• Levels of Prevention: Community psychology categorizes prevention into three levels
– primary, secondary, and tertiary – each targeting different stages in the development
and impact of a problem.
• Ecological Approach: The ecological perspective of community psychology
underscores the interconnectedness of individuals and their environments, emphasizing
how community resources, social norms, and societal policies influence well-being.

Primary Prevention

Primary prevention aims to stop problems before they occur by addressing root causes and
fostering resilience within communities.

• Focus: Primary prevention is proactive, targeting healthy individuals or populations

who have not yet encountered issues. It aims to increase individuals' and communities'
resistance to potential threats.
• Examples:
o Public Health Campaigns: Educating communities about healthy lifestyles to
prevent issues such as obesity, mental illness, or addiction.
o School-Based Programs: Teaching social and emotional skills to children to
reduce the likelihood of future behavioral problems.
o Community Development Initiatives: Building safe recreational spaces or
improving access to nutritious food to support a healthier lifestyle.
 • Strategies: Primary prevention uses public awareness, policy development, and skill-
building as key strategies. The intention is not just individual-focused change but also
reshaping community norms and resources.

Emphasize empowerment in primary prevention, suggesting that when individuals and

communities are given more control over their environment, they are better positioned to
prevent problems.

Secondary Prevention

Secondary prevention seeks to identify and address problems early on, aiming to intervene
promptly to prevent progression.

• Focus: This level targets populations or individuals at higher risk or showing early signs
of a problem. By catching issues in their early stages, secondary prevention can mitigate
their severity.
• Examples:
o Early Intervention in Schools: Screening for learning or behavioral challenges
and providing support to prevent more serious academic or social difficulties.
o Community Screening Programs: Regular health screenings to catch diseases
like diabetes or hypertension in early, more manageable stages.
o Crisis Intervention: Providing immediate support after traumatic events, such
as natural disasters or community violence, to prevent long-term psychological
issues.
• Strategies: Secondary prevention is reactive but occurs early, typically through
monitoring at-risk populations, screenings, and referrals. It requires collaboration
among community organizations, mental health professionals, and educational
institutions.

Jason et al. discuss the importance of screening and early intervention in secondary
prevention, noting that timely action can significantly reduce the long-term impact of many
community issues.
Tertiary Prevention

Tertiary prevention focuses on limiting the long-term consequences of established issues,

offering support for recovery and reintegration into the community.

• Focus: This level aims to improve the quality of life for individuals affected by
persistent or chronic issues. It involves treatment, rehabilitation, and social
reintegration.
• Examples:
o Rehabilitation Programs: Programs for individuals recovering from substance
abuse, focusing on relapse prevention, job skills, and social support.
o Support Groups: Peer-support groups for individuals dealing with chronic
illnesses or mental health issues to enhance coping mechanisms and reduce
isolation.
o Community Reentry Programs: Helping formerly incarcerated individuals
transition back into the community to prevent recidivism.
• Strategies: Tertiary prevention requires individualized interventions that often involve
mental health services, medical treatment, and community support. The approach is
restorative, aiming to prevent worsening of existing conditions and improve the
affected individuals' overall functioning.

Moritsugu et al. highlight the need for social and economic support in tertiary prevention,
advocating for community-based resources to help individuals with long-term challenges.

Interconnection of Prevention Levels

In practice, community psychologists view prevention as a continuum rather than isolated

stages. Effective community programs often combine aspects of primary, secondary, and
tertiary prevention, addressing individual and structural factors to create holistic support
systems.

• Overlapping Strategies: Programs may begin with primary prevention efforts (e.g.,
community education) and expand to include secondary and tertiary prevention as
needs arise.
 • Community Empowerment: Across all levels, empowering communities to take
charge of their health and well-being is essential. The focus on empowerment aligns
with community psychology’s values of social justice, equality, and collaborative
change.

Each of these texts stresses the importance of context—understanding that cultural,

socioeconomic, and historical factors shape how prevention strategies are applied and
perceived. Community psychology emphasizes culturally sensitive approaches and community
involvement in designing and implementing preventive interventions, which enhances their
relevance and effectiveness.

Summary Table of Prevention Levels in Community Psychology

Level Focus Target Group Examples

Health education, skill-building
Prevent problems Entire population or
Primary programs, community safety
before they arise healthy individuals
improvements
At-risk individuals or
Early detection and Early screenings, school
Secondary groups showing early
intervention interventions, crisis support
signs
Individuals with
Minimize impact of Rehabilitation, support groups,
Tertiary persistent or chronic
established issues reentry programs
problems

This summary captures how prevention in community psychology is multidimensional, aiming

to create resilient individuals and communities equipped to handle a range of challenges across
different stages.

1. Prevention: General Concepts

Prevention in community psychology emphasizes proactive measures to address social and

psychological issues before they become crises. Unlike a focus solely on treatment, prevention
aims to create supportive environments that foster individual and community well-being and
reduce risks associated with mental health issues, substance abuse, and social inequality.

Key principles:

• Ecological Perspective: Prevention strategies take into account how individuals

interact within their environments—family, school, work, and broader societal
structures.
• Risk and Protective Factors: Identifying risk factors (e.g., poverty, violence) and
enhancing protective factors (e.g., community support, access to resources) is crucial
in creating effective prevention programs.
• Empowerment: Prevention is grounded in empowering individuals and communities,
giving them resources, skills, and knowledge to take control of their lives.

2. Levels of Prevention

Community psychology distinguishes between three levels of prevention, each with specific
aims, strategies, and targeted populations.

A. Primary Prevention

Primary prevention seeks to prevent issues from arising by addressing underlying risk factors
before problems manifest.

Key Features:

• Target Population: Entire populations, regardless of risk levels, to create broad,

positive change.
• Goals: Reduce incidences of mental health crises, substance abuse, and social issues by
fostering healthy, supportive environments.
• Strategies:
o Educational Programs: Schools, workplaces, and community centers may
implement programs on stress management, mental health literacy, and conflict
resolution to equip individuals with coping skills.
o Policy Advocacy: Engaging in policy reform to address socioeconomic
determinants of health, such as housing, employment, and educational access.
 o Community Building: Organizing community activities to strengthen social
bonds and collective efficacy, reducing feelings of isolation and vulnerability.

Examples: Anti-bullying programs in schools, affordable housing initiatives, and public health
campaigns promoting healthy behaviors.

B. Secondary Prevention

Secondary prevention targets individuals or groups identified as "at risk" to prevent the
escalation of problems and address issues at early stages.

Key Features:

• Target Population: Specific at-risk groups, identified based on exposure to risk factors
such as family history of mental health issues, experience of trauma, or community
violence.
• Goals: Prevent mild issues from becoming more serious and reduce the duration of
negative experiences.
• Strategies:
o Screening Programs: Early identification of mental health issues, substance
use, and behavioral problems to ensure timely intervention.
o Skill-building Workshops: Providing coping, resilience, and problem-solving
skills tailored to specific populations, such as youth in high-risk neighborhoods.
o Counseling and Support Groups: Offering support services for individuals
facing early signs of distress, trauma, or other life stressors.

Examples: Mental health screenings in schools, family counseling services for high-risk
families, and support programs for children in communities affected by violence.

C. Tertiary Prevention

Tertiary prevention focuses on reducing the long-term impacts and recurrence of serious issues
by providing intensive support and rehabilitation to individuals already affected.

Key Features:
 • Target Population: Individuals who have already experienced significant
psychological or social issues.
• Goals: Minimize the negative effects, prevent relapse, and promote a high quality of
life.
• Strategies:
o Rehabilitation Programs: Integrating individuals back into society with
vocational training, therapy, and social reintegration programs.
o Long-term Support Systems: Establishing ongoing care through case
management, peer support networks, and community-based resources.
o Advocacy for Inclusive Policies: Promoting systemic changes to ensure
equitable access to housing, employment, and healthcare for people recovering
from mental health or substance issues.

Examples: Supportive housing for individuals recovering from substance use, job training
programs for individuals with a history of mental illness, and community reintegration
programs for formerly incarcerated individuals.