Public service motivation and perceived community resilience: sense of community and sense of community responsibility as mediators.

Objective: Perceived community resilience (PCR) serves as the foundation for sustainable development, yet the psychological impetus driving the enhancement of PCR remains to be elucidated. This study delved into the psychological motivation underpinning PCR by examining the interrelationships between PCR and public service motivation (PSM), sense of community (SOC), and sense of community responsibility (SOC-R). Methods: A total of 550 participants from three cities in China were tested using the Public Service Motivation Intercultural Scale, the Sense of Community Responsibility Scale, the Sense of Community Scale, and the 10-Item Conjoint Community Resiliency Assessment Measure. Results: There was a significant positive correlation between PSM, SOC-R, SOC, and PCR scores; (2) PSM had a significant and direct effect on PCR; (3) PSM had a significant indirect effect on PCR through the chain mediators of SOC-R and SOC. Conclusion: These findings clarify the psychological motivations underlying PCR and could inform strategies for improving community sustainability.