The Process of Empowerment: Implications for Theory and Practice

This article describes a research study completed on the process of empowerment. Conducted with 55 men and women who had experienced extensive powerlessness in their lives, qualitative interviews and focus groups were designed to understand participants' lived experiences as they struggled toward increased control in their lives. Several themes were identified, including elements which provided an impetus for empowerment and the importance of support from people. As the empowerment process unfolded, access to valued resources and participation in community life reduced isolation and contributed to the competence and confidence of participants. Several implications for the concept of empowerment are identified such as self-efficacy and personal control; and principles for community practice are outlined. This study confirms the importance of understanding empowerment from an ecological perspective.