Unpacking Prevention Capacity: An Intersection of Research‐to‐practice Models and Community‐centered Models

TLDR

Capacity is a complex, poorly defined construct with limited work on its definition, components, or development in prevention, yet both research‑to‑practice and community‑centered models emphasize its importance for dissemination and sustainability. The article aims to operationalize capacity and differentiate its types and levels for dissemination and implementation via a taxonomy. The taxonomy was developed from research‑to‑practice and community‑centered models, distinguishing capacity along level (individual, organizational, community) and type (general, innovation‑specific) dimensions. The taxonomy clarifies capacity and supports developing methods to enhance implementation and sustainability of prevention in new settings.

Abstract

Capacity is a complex construct that lacks definitional clarity. Little has been done to define capacity, explicate components of capacity, or explore the development of capacity in prevention. This article represents an attempt to operationalize capacity and distinguish among types and levels of capacity as they relate to dissemination and implementation through the use of a taxonomy of capacity. The development of the taxonomy was informed by the capacity literature from two divergent models in the field: research-to-practice (RTP) models and community-centered (CC) models. While these models differ in perspective and focus, both emphasize the importance of capacity to the dissemination and sustainability of prevention innovations. Based on the review of the literature, the taxonomy differentiates the concepts of capacity among two dimensions: level (individual, organizational, and community levels) and type (general capacity and innovation-specific capacity). The proposed taxonomy can aid in understanding the concept of capacity and developing methods to support the implementation and sustainability of prevention efforts in novel settings.