The Sense of Community. A Contemporary Theoretical Perspective

Abstract

This paper aims to review the theoretical framework of the concept of sense of community using an analytical approach. It discusses the appropriateness of the classical models to contemporary social changes. This review indicates that a sense of community contributes to improving mental health and enhancing social cohesion. Nonetheless, there are still research gaps related to the comparison between traditional and digital communities, as well as the relationship between the sense of community and social and legal policies. The paper concludes that enhancing the sense of community requires comprehensive strategies to build fair and stable societies.