Exploring the Role of Social, Economic, and Cultural Factors in Community Development: A Social Work Perspective in T/A Chimwala, Mangochi

Community development, a fundamental aspect of social work practice, plays a crucial role in driving positive transformation within societies by enhancing well-being and empowerment through collaborative efforts. This study focuses on Traditional Authority (T/A) Chimwala, to illuminate the dynamics that shape community advancement, emphasizing the interplay of social, economic, and cultural factors. The Strengths-Based Perspective, aligning with social work principles, guides the study in identifying and categorizing influential factors for tailored interventions. By analyzing the impacts of these factors, the research contributes to a comprehensive understanding of community development dynamics, addressing a literature gap within the context of T/A Chimwala. The study reveals that the lack of participation significantly hampers community progress, emphasizing the need for active engagement in decision-making processes. Additionally, the scarcity of resources and corruption obstruct developmental initiatives, underscoring the importance of transparent governance. The societal structure and cultural elements, such as language and religion, also significantly impact development trajectories. Socioeconomic factors, including education, occupation, family dynamics, income, and societal structure, collectively shape community progress. Notably, religion emerges as a strong cultural influence, and family size, income, and education further contribute to developmental


Introduction
Community development, as a fundamental aspect of social work practice, stands as a cornerstone for fostering positive change and progress within societies (Mensah and Casadevall, 2019). It revolves around enhancing societies' well-being and empowerment through collaborative efforts. Central to this process are the intricate interplays of social, economic, and cultural factors that shape the trajectory of communities (Armitage et al., 2012). Within the realm of social work, understanding the nuanced roles of these factors in community development is pivotal for crafting effective interventions that promote sustainable progress. In the study by Kapucu (2012), the field of social work, community development stands as a cornerstone of fostering positive change and progress within societies. This study delves into the intricate interplay of social, economic, and cultural factors that influence community development outcomes. By examining the impact of these factors within the realm of social work, this research aims to shed light on the dynamics that shape the advancement of communities, focusing on the context of Traditional Authority (T/A) Chimwala.
This study within the domain of social work aims to accomplish several objectives: firstly, to identify and categorize the influential social, economic, and cultural factors impacting community development in T/A Chimwala, with a specific emphasis on their applicability to social work interventions. Secondly, the research seeks to evaluate the contributions of social and economic factors, from a social work perspective, to the progress of T/A Chimwala and its surroundings.
Thirdly, it endeavors to explore the cultural factors' impact on community development within T/A Chimwala, focusing on their relevance for enhancing social work practices. The study seeks to analyze the tangible effects of the identified social, economic, and cultural factors on the developmental outcomes of T/A Chimwala, considering potential avenues for social work intervention. Qeios, CC-BY 4.0 · Article, August 28, 2023 Qeios ID: ES35QX · https://doi.org/10.32388/ES35QX 2/10 Embedded in the realm of social work practice, the study adopts the Strengths-Based Perspective as its theoretical framework. This perspective underscores the utilization of individuals' and communities' strengths, resources, and capacities to facilitate sustainable development, aligning seamlessly with social work's principles of empowerment, collaboration, and community engagement (Munford and Sanders, 2011). In light of social work's commitment to community development, understanding the nuanced influence of social, economic, and cultural factors is imperative. A gap exists within the social work literature concerning the specific ways in which these factors shape community trajectories, particularly within the context of T/A Chimwala and Chiwaula Village. Bridging this gap is essential to enable social workers to tailor effective interventions that promote comprehensive and sustainable development. The study's significance lies in its potential to serve as a cornerstone resource for social work practitioners, equipping them with strategies that harness strengths, foster empowerment, and drive positive change within communities.

Methodology
This study is rooted in the domain of social work and seeks to comprehensively explore the role of social, economic, and cultural factors in community development. The research design, as defined by Kothari (2004), strategically merges research objectives with efficient data collection and analysis methods. Employing quantitative research methods, the study delves into the intricate interplay of these factors through a descriptive design. This approach aligns with the study's focus on 'what' factors influence community development, making it a fitting choice. Geographically, the research is centered in T/A Chiwaula, Mangochi district, Malawi. The target population comprises both males and females aged 18 and above, collectively reflecting the community's diverse characteristics. The sampling strategy combines both probability and non-probability methods to ensure a comprehensive and accurate representation of the community.
Primary data collection involves both questionnaires and interviews, while secondary data is drawn from scholarly sources. The collected data is then meticulously analyzed using SPSS and Microsoft Excel, with findings presented through descriptive statistics, tables, and graphics. Ethical considerations are paramount, ensuring voluntary participation, privacy, and confidentiality. In essence, this study contributes to the field of social work by addressing a gap in the literature regarding the nuanced influence of these factors on community development, specifically within the context of T/A Chiwaula. By bridging this gap, the study aims to equip social workers with tailored interventions that capitalize on strengths, empower communities, and drive positive change. Despite potential limitations, the research methodology serves as a robust foundation for understanding and enhancing community development dynamics.

Social, Economic, and Cultural Factors that Affect Community Development
The study identified the social, economic, and cultural factors that affect community development in T/A Chimwala. The findings in Figure 3 show that 40.0% of respondents strongly agreed that the lack of participation affects community development. However, 23.3% of respondents highlighted that another factor is the lack of resources. The results also indicate that 16.7% of the respondents agreed that corruption also affects community development. The study also Qeios,.0 · Article, August 28, 2023 Qeios ID: ES35QX · https://doi.org/10.32388/ES35QX 3/10 indicated that 10.0% of respondents noted that language and religion are other factors, but this is closely related to the structure of society. Additionally, 10.0% of the respondents said that these factors affect community development.

Lack of Participation
According to Gunko et al. (2021), the term "lack of participation" pertains to a scenario where community members aren't actively involved in endeavors, undertakings, and decision-making processes geared towards enhancing and propelling the community forward. According to the findings, 40.0% of the respondents indicated that this absence of participation significantly hampers the community's progress. In instances of development within a society, there appears to be a reluctance among people to engage in identifying communal needs and raising funds. These outcomes align with the research by Bakker et al. (2019), which revealed that reduced engagement in community initiatives leads to a decrease in social capital, thereby impeding the resilience and advancement of the community.

Lack of Resources
Insufficiency of resources refers to the inadequate availability of crucial elements like income, human capital, physical assets, and social support required for the initiation and maintenance of developmental activities within a community (Umesha et al., 2018). This sentiment was concurred with by 23.3% of the respondents who expressed that their community faced a scarcity of essential resources, such as income and human capital, which, in turn, hindered the progress of developmental initiatives. These findings are consistent with the conclusions drawn from the study conducted by Mmereki (2018), wherein the lack of a skilled workforce emerged as a substantial obstacle to community advancement, curbing the ability to effectively execute and sustain developmental projects. Corruption Corruption has surfaced as a visible factor that exerts influence on community development, and this was attested by 16.7% of the respondents. They emphasized that within their community, there are instances where public resources earmarked for crucial projects such as healthcare, education, and essential services encounter misallocation by leaders.
Instead of being channeled into infrastructure initiatives, these funds find their way into the hands of individuals and community leaders, thereby exacerbating poverty and heightening inequality within the community fabric. This scenario closely resonates with the social work concept of "social justice," wherein the equitable distribution of resources is essential to fostering a just and inclusive community. These findings correspond with the outcomes explained by Basavarajappa (2020), whose exploration underscored that corruption not only widens income inequality but also contradicts the fundamental principles of social justice. The diversion of resources towards the privileged and influential factions ultimately undermines the community's progress towards holistic development.

Structure of Society
Furthermore, 10.0% of the respondents highlighted the societal structure as a significant factor influencing community development. They pointed out that their society's configuration contributes to community progress through the provision of essential social infrastructure like schools, under-five clinics, roads, and boreholes. Moreover, the presence of distinct leadership roles, including Members of Parliament (MPs), group village headmen, and chiefs, enables collaborative community needs assessment for effective development. This interconnectedness resonates with a fundamental social work concept of "collective community engagement," wherein diverse stakeholders collaborate to comprehensively assess and address community needs. Drawing parallels, Hughes and Loader (2022) contend that societies characterized by heightened income inequality experience adverse effects such as reduced social cohesion and trust, thereby obstructing the path of community development.

Language and Religion
A remarkable 10.0% of respondents emphasized the significance of language and religion as influential factors shaping community development. Regarding language, participants highlighted the cohesive power of a shared linguistic identity, such as the "Yao" language, which facilitates effective communication and interaction during development initiatives, thus contributing to community progress. Similarly, respondents underscored the essential role of religion, specifically within an Islamic context. Islamic-run boreholes, for instance, provide the community access to safe water, symbolizing a tangible facet of development. These findings resonate with a central social work concept-cultural sensitivity-where understanding and leveraging shared linguistic and religious elements can enhance community engagement and cooperation. In line with this, Smidt's study (1999) corroborates these insights, revealing how religion and language play a pivotal role in fostering social capital, trust, and civic engagement, thereby propelling overall community development. The Socioeconomic Factors Affecting Community Development The study explored the impact of socioeconomic factors on community development in the T/A Chimwala area, as perceived by the respondents. The primary socioeconomic factor identified as influencing community development was the educational level of individuals within the community, with 30.0% of the responses affirming that education contributes significantly to one's skills and knowledge, thereby positively impacting development. Occupation emerged as another significant factor, highlighted by approximately 23.3% of the participants. Furthermore, 16.7% of the respondents considered family size as a relevant socioeconomic aspect, while 13.3% acknowledged income as yet another significant factor affecting community development. The study also revealed that 10.0% of the respondents attributed the structure of society as influential, and an additional 6.7% of the participants indicated that all of the mentioned factors collectively contribute to the socioeconomic elements that affect community development.

Figure 2. Socioeconomic Factors That Affect Community Development
The study's findings align with key social work concepts, illustrating the critical influence of educational attainment, occupation, family dynamics, income, societal structure, and a holistic approach on community development. The recognized significance of educational levels resonates with the social work principle of "education for empowerment," endorsing education's role in enhancing personal agency and community progress, as also noted by Mayaka and Truell (2021). The salience of occupation mirrors the notion of "livelihood security," highlighting the importance of viable work for both individuals and overall community well-being, akin to insights from Olabi et al. (2022). Acknowledging family size corresponds with the "family dynamics" concept, emphasizing how family structures interact within broader societal contexts, impacting resource allocation and support networks, mirroring the perspective of Silverstein and Giarrusso (2010). The resonance of income with "economic empowerment" underscores its role in fostering community development, as emphasized by Niner et al. (2022). The attribution of community development to societal structure aligns with the "community systems" perspective, emphasizing how leadership, governance, and shared norms impact progress, echoing Dutta and Fischer (2021). Finally, the recognition that these factors collectively contribute embraces the holistic Qeios, CC-BY 4.0 · Article, August 28, 2023 Qeios ID: ES35QX · https://doi.org/10.32388/ES35QX 6/10 approach, highlighting the intricate interplay between education, occupation, family, and structure in achieving comprehensive community well-being.

Impact of Socioeconomic and Cultural Factors on Development
The study observed in Figure 3 that religion as a cultural factor was the actual impact on community development. This is evidenced by 56.7%. Furthermore, 20.0% of the respondents reacted to family size, followed by 13.3% reporting income, and only 10.0% of respondents mentioned education. The findings illustrated in Figure 3 offer a comprehensive insight into the intricate interplay of social, economic, and cultural factors that shape community development. Notably, religion emerges as a prominent cultural influence, with a significant 56.7% of respondents attributing its positive impact-an observation resonating with the social work concept of "cultural competence." This underscores the importance of embracing diverse cultural elements to enhance community well-being, a notion also discussed by Corry Azzopardi and McNeill (2016). Family size, highlighted by 20.0% of participants, underscores the nuanced connection between socioeconomics and development-a correlation that aligns with the "family dynamics" principle in social work. This emphasizes how family structures affect resource distribution and support networks, ultimately shaping community progress, an idea echoed by Virginia Rondero Hernandez et al. (2010).
Additionally, the impact of income, noted by 13.3% of respondents, resonates with the "economic empowerment" principle in social work. This underscores the direct link between financial stability and developmental opportunities, supporting the notion that addressing economic disparities contributes to holistic community advancement, as discussed by Rasoolimanesh et al. (2023). Surprisingly, only 10.0% identified education as a direct factor, presenting an opportunity for Qeios, CC-BY 4.0 · Article, August 28, 2023 Qeios ID: ES35QX · https://doi.org/10.32388/ES35QX 7/10 social work to underscore the importance of "education for empowerment," highlighting its role in enhancing individual agency and overall community development-a concept also articulated by Johnson (2012). Figure 3 visually encapsulates the intricate interplay of social, economic, and cultural dynamics, providing a comprehensive framework to grasp and nurture sustainable community progress.

Conclusion
Community development, a fundamental aspect of social work practice, serves as a cornerstone for driving positive transformation in societies. The intricate interplay of social, economic, and cultural factors molds the trajectory of communities, necessitating a comprehensive understanding within the realm of social work to devise effective interventions that promote sustainable progress. This study, centered on Traditional Authority (T/A) Chimwala, aimed to shed light on the dynamics that shape community advancement by identifying and categorizing influential factors. The adoption of the Strengths-Based Perspective aligns seamlessly with social work's principles of empowerment and collaboration, offering a promising framework for community development. By examining the impacts of social, economic, and cultural factors, this research establishes a robust foundation for tailored social work interventions. The significance of the study lies in bridging the gap within social work literature concerning the nuanced influence of these factors on community trajectories, particularly in the context of T/A Chimwala. This endeavor equips social workers with strategies that harness strengths, empower communities, and drive positive change. While limitations are acknowledged, the research methodology's robustness underscores its contribution to understanding and enhancing community development dynamics. Given the significant impact of the lack of participation on community development, it is crucial for social work practitioners to actively engage community members in decision-making processes. Social workers can facilitate community forums, workshops, and awareness campaigns that encourage active involvement in identifying communal needs and raising funds. Building a sense of ownership and agency among community members will enhance social capital and pave the way for more resilient and self-sustaining communities.