Investigating the use of strengths-based approaches for health research in rural communities: a scoping review

Background: Many rural communities negotiate challenges to equitable health and palliative care services, often framed through ‘deficit discourse’, that apportions blame and inherent deficiencies. Strengths-based approaches (SBAs) offer a constructive alternative by focusing on community assets and capabilities. Despite growing interest, the extent and ways in which SBA models and methodologies have been applied to rural health research remains unclear. This scoping review explores the purpose and context in which SBAs have been applied in rural health research, to inform future rural research and health service design.

Methods: A systematic search of academic databases (CINAHL, MEDLINE, and PsycINFO) and grey literature was conducted.

Findings were synthesised narratively, following the PRISMA–ScR guidelines. Findings: Thirty-three studies primarily from Australia, the USA and Africa, from 2009 onwards demonstrated diverse application of SBAs across rural maternal/ birthing, general health, mental health/ suicide prevention and chronic health. Most (70%) used qualitative methods. The purpose of the studies were to: (1) explore what is or could be; (2) evaluate a programme/service; and (3) inform the implementation of a new programme or intervention. Key benefits included enhanced community engagement, identification of local strengths and generation of innovative, community-driven ideas, promoting ownership and sustainability. SBAs demonstrated transformative outcomes in some rural health research, though with some limitations.

Conclusions: Evidence increasingly supports adopting SBAs in conducting rural health research, shifting from a historically negative paradigm. By highlighting and building on existing community strengths, SBAs offer innovative solutions to address health inequities and meet the unique needs of rural communities.