The The Routledge International Handbook of Community Psychology: Facing Global Crises with Hope

This handbook provides a critical and interdisciplinary approach to community psychology, showing how it can address systemic challenges and contribute to principled social change. It features contributions from world-leading academics, early career researchers, and community leaders, highlighting practical examples of working with those living in precarious situations. The editors examine economic, ecological, demographic, gender, violence, energy, social and cultural, and political crises in relation to psychological theories, public policy, and lived experiences, presenting an approach situated at the intersection of public policy and lived experiences. The handbook explores the lessons learnt from the COVID-19 pandemic about the pervading nature of social inequality and presents a vision for a fairer, more just, resilient, and sustainable world.

Format: Hardback
Length: 386 pages
Publication date: 18 March 2022
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

This comprehensive handbook takes a unique and interdisciplinary approach to the study of community psychology, aiming to address the systemic challenges posed by various crises that impact people worldwide. By delving into some of the most pressing issues of our time, the text demonstrates how community psychology can play a pivotal role in fostering principled social change, giving voice to marginalized communities, enabling civic participation, and supporting the realignment of social and economic power within planetary boundaries.

The handbook is a collaborative effort, featuring contributions from renowned academics, early career researchers, and community leaders from around the globe. Each chapter provides a theoretical framework and contextualizes it with practical examples of working with individuals living in precarious situations, addressing their most pressing concerns, and highlighting positive ways to contribute to progressive change. The editors examine economic, ecological, demographic, gender, violence, energy, social, and cultural crises in relation to psychological theories, as well as public policy and lived experiences. This approach, situated at the intersection of public policy and lived experiences, offers a comprehensive understanding of community psychology's potential to make a meaningful impact.

The handbook is organized into four distinct perspectives or lenses: a critical lens, a praxis lens, an ecological lens, and a reflective lens. These perspectives provide a framework for analyzing and interpreting community psychology's contributions to a fairer, more just, resilient, and sustainable world. Through these lenses, the editors explore various aspects of community psychology, including its role in addressing social inequality, promoting community resilience, fostering social cohesion, and promoting environmental sustainability.

One of the key insights gained from the handbook is the pervasive nature of social inequality. The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the stark disparities in health outcomes, economic opportunities, and social support among different populations, underscoring the urgent need for action to address these inequalities. Community psychology plays a crucial role in addressing social inequality by developing interventions that promote equity, inclusion, and social justice.

Furthermore, the handbook emphasizes the importance of community participation and engagement in driving social change. It highlights the role of community psychologists in facilitating dialogue, building consensus, and empowering individuals and communities to take ownership of their problems and solutions. By promoting civic participation and engagement, community psychology can help build stronger, more resilient communities that are better equipped to face future challenges.

In conclusion, this handbook offers a valuable resource for scholars, practitioners, and policymakers interested in community psychology. It provides a comprehensive and interdisciplinary perspective on the field, highlighting its potential to address systemic challenges, promote social change, and contribute to a more just and sustainable world. By examining the lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic and other crises, the handbook demonstrates how community psychology can play a pivotal role in building a fairer, more resilient, and inclusive society.

Weight: 453g
Dimension: 246 x 174 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780367344153