Asset-based community development and happiness in community residents in Taiwan

The rise of literature on Asset-Based Community Development (ABCD) has indicated a positive association between ABCD and life outcomes in communities. However, the empirical effects of ABCD on the well-being of community residents in Taiwan remain largely unexplored. This study used 682 residents to examine the relationships between ABCD and happiness in community residents in Taiwan. The findings of this study show that ABCD had significant positive effects on happiness (β = 0.42, p <.001). Specifically, dynamic assets have a 22% stronger impact on happiness compared to static assets (β = 0.44 versus 0.36). Further, the study found that the community capacities in below dimensions have high effects on the happiness of the residents: participation (β = 0.47), leadership (β = 0.43), and organization (β = 0.43). This study calls for specific strategies to strengthen community assets in community development that has vital effects on the well-being of community residents in Taiwan, especially for community participation, leadership, and organizational capacities.