Reflective structured dialogue as a tool for addressing wicked public health problems

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Social Psychology
• Communication Studies

Background:

• Addressing complex public health issues requires collaborative problem-solving.
• Structured dialogue fosters trust and mutual understanding among diverse stakeholders.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the impact of Reflective Structured Dialogue (RSD) on university students' attitudes concerning polarization.
• To assess changes in openness, tribal identity, and moral disdain following participation in structured conversations.

Main Methods:

• The BYU Campus Conversations project involved 27 structured dialogues with 139 students on COVID-19, mental health, and racism.
• A conversational format encouraged personal sharing and empathetic learning in a confidential setting.
• Pre- and post-conversation surveys measured changes in participant attitudes.

Main Results:

• Participation in RSD was significantly linked to more positive attitudes regarding openness, reduced tribal identity, and decreased moral disdain.
• Over 95% of participants reported enjoyment and enhanced understanding of others' experiences.
• The study demonstrated a strong association between dialogue participation and improved polarization-related attitudes.

Conclusions:

• Reflective Structured Dialogue (RSD) can be an effective method for fostering understanding on contentious public health issues.
• Implementing similar dialogue initiatives in university and community settings may help bridge divides.
• Structured conversations show promise for mitigating polarization and promoting empathy in public health discourse.