Tehran University of Medical Sciences Iranian Journal of Public Health 2251-6085 44 1 2015 01 15 68 78 Zhichao Li School of Political Science and Public Administration, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China , China. Yao Chen School of Political Science and Public Administration, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China , China. Liming Suo School of Political Science and Public Administration, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China , China. 2015 10 14 Background: In recent years, natural disasters and the accompanying health risks have become more frequent, and rehabilitation work has become an important part of government performance. On one hand, social networks play an important role in participants’ therapeutic community participation and physical & mental recovery. On the other hand, therapeutic communities with widespread participation can also contribute to community recovery after disaster. Methods: This paper described a field study in an earthquake-stricken area of Ya’an. A set of 3-stage follow-up data was obtained concerning with the villagers’ participation in therapeutic community, social network status, demographic background, and other factors. The Hierarchical linear Model (HLM) method was used to investigate the determinants of social network on therapeutic community participation. Results: First, social networks have significantly impacts on the annual changes of therapeutic community participation. Second, there were obvious differences in education between groups mobilized by the self-organization and local government. However, they all exerted the mobilization force through the acquaintance networks. Third, local cadre networks of villagers could negatively influence the activities of self-organized therapeutic community, while with positively influence in government-organized therapeutic activities. Conclusion: This paper suggests that relevant government departments need to focus more on the reconstruction and cultivation of villagers’ social network and social capital in the process of post-disaster recovery. These findings  contribute to better understandings of how social networks influence therapeutic community participation, and https://ijph.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijph/article/view/3726 https://ijph.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijph/article/download/3726/3399