Authors: SHILPA GUPTA and Dr. ARTI MAINI

Abstract
This mixed-methods study sought to understand rural residents' perceptions and experiences of the primary elements affecting community wellbeing. The study seeks to uncover and explain the economic, social, institutional, environmental, and other factors that rural community members believe most affect their communities' wellbeing. The survey sought to discover rural community members' top priorities for community wellbeing. An integrative mixed-methods study of this important rural development and policy issue was possible by giving rural residents' lived experiences a voice through qualitative methods and measuring variables through the survey. The study used contemporaneous triangulation and mixed methodologies. An inductive study using 25 semi-structured interviews and a survey technique collected 400 rural respondents for the qualitative component. The interviews were thematically analyzed inductively to identify important themes. The survey instrument implemented and quantified exploratory factor analysis identified community wellbeing factors. To find determinants, descriptive statistics and correlation analysis were used on quantitative data. A mixed-methods approach triangulated qualitative and quantitative findings to build a coherent understanding. Social cohesion, community cohesion, community infrastructure assessment, community support, environmental amenities, sustainable local government, and safety were major themes. The poll found a favourable correlation between perceived safety, sustainable local governance, community infrastructure evaluation, and community cohesion. Environmental amenities, community cohesion, and support boost social cohesion. Quantitative and qualitative data showed that rural community wellbeing is complicated and multifaceted, resulting from economic, social, institutional, and environmental aspects. This research reveals the relative importance and interrelationships of key determinants like social cohesion, environmental amenities, community infrastructure, and sustainable local governance, providing a framework for developing rural community-specific interventions and strategies
Keywords: Rural communities, Mixed - method study, Triangulation, Thematic analysis, Rural policy

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