THEORETICAL AND METHODOLOGICAL FOUNDATIONS FOR THE STUDYOF SOCIAL COHESION IN THE CONTEXT OF SOCIAL WORK
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.17721/2616-7786.2025/11-1/10Keywords:
community, internally displaced persons, social cohesion, social integration, social workAbstract
Background. Social cohesion as a multidimensional social phenomenon is of particular relevance in the current context of global transformations and crises. In the Ukrainian context of a full-scale war and large-scale internal displacement of the population (about 3.6 million people), the conceptualization of this phenomenon becomes not only a theoretical task but also a practical necessity for developing effective strategies for the integration and consolidation of society. The purpose of the study is to comprehensively analyze the concept of “social cohesion”, its evolution in scientific discourse, identify the main theoretical approaches to its understanding, and reveal the structural components and their interconnection in the context of integration of internally displaced persons into host communities.
Methods. The study uses theoretical analysis of scientific sources, comparative analysis of different conceptual approaches, systematization and generalization of theoretical positions, structural and functional analysis of the components of social cohesion.
Results. The historical evolution of the concept of social cohesion from ancient philosophical ideas to modern interdisciplinary theories is traced. Theoretical approaches (sociological, psychological, economic, political science and interdisciplinary) to the study of social cohesion are systematized. Four structural components of social cohesion are identified and analyzed: value-normative (common values, norms, moral obligations), social-relational (social ties, trust, inclusion), affective (sense of belonging, solidarity, emotional attachment) and functional (cooperation, mutual assistance, collective action).
Conclusions. A comprehensive understanding of the social cohesion phenomenon has been formed as a dynamic process of forming and maintaining quality social connections, shared values, sense of belonging, and capacity for collective action. Four interconnected structural components of social cohesion have been identified, which form a holistic theoretical framework for understanding mechanisms of group integration. A theoretical-methodological foundation has been created for further research of social work as an instrument for developing social cohesion in conditions of massive internal displacement of population.
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