A contextual‐behavioral model of empowerment: Case studies involving people with physical disabilities

Abstract

When people with disabilities, ethnic minorities, older adults, women, and others lack power, they usually experience adverse conditions disproportionate to other members of society. Empowerment--the process by which people gain some control over valued events, outcomes, and resources--is an important construct for understanding and improving the lives of people of marginal status. This manuscript presents a contextual-behavioral model of empowerment and its application in collaborative research with people with physical disabilities. The eight case studies illustrate 18 tactics for promoting empowerment that flow from the model. The case studies show the use of different combinations of empowerment tactics in a variety of contexts: (a) setting improvement agendas from the perspective of people with disabilities, (b) enforcing ordinances that preserve access to parking spaces designated for people with disabilities, (c) enabling access to homes through housing modifications, (d) enhancing support available through mutual-aid groups, (e) developing skills for recruiting mentors, (f) promoting self-directed behavior change with personal and health concerns, (g) enhancing skills for personal self-advocacy, and (h) building the capacities of groups of people with disabilities for systems advocacy. Finally, we discuss issues that may contribute to research and action related to empowerment.

Application of Empowerment Scale to patients with schizophrenia: Japanese experience

“…However, in the course of time, this concept was gradually extended to cover persons with chronic medical disorders 13,14 or physical disabilities. 15 And because it is only natural to suppose that persons with psychiatric disorders have become powerless because of their disorders, the concept of empowerment has also attracted attention in the field of psychiatric rehabilitation. [16][17][18][19][20] Rogers et al conducted a large-scale survey for the purpose of developing a patient-constructed scale to measure the level of empowerment among users of mental health services.…”

Contemporary Youth Research in Arab Mediterranean Countries: Mixing Qualitative and Quantitative Research

“…Empowerment, in its most general sense, refers to the ability of people to gain understanding and control over personal, social, economic and political forces in order to take action to improve their life situations (Israel et al, 1994). It is the process by which individuals and communities are enabled to take power and act effectively in gaining greater control, efficacy, and social justice in changing their lives and their environment (Solomon, 1976;Rappaport, 1981Rappaport, , 1985Minkler, 1992;Fawcett et al, 1994;Israel et al, 1994). Central to empowerment process are actions which both build individual and collective assets, and improve the efficiency and fairness of the organizational and institutional context which govern the use of these assets.…”

Empowerment et pratiques sociales : illustration du potentiel d’une utopie prise au sérieux

“…Dans le domaine des pratiques sociales, la notion d'empowerment 1 fait l'objet d'une réflexion soutenue depuis plusieurs années (Schulz et a/., 1995;Breton, 1994aBreton, , 1994bBreton, , 1993Breton, , 1989Cohen, 1994;Fawcett et a/., 1994;Lee, 1994;Serrano-Garcia et Bond, 1994;Trickett, 1994;Cox, 1991 ;Rappaport, 1987Rappaport, , 1985Rappaport, , 1984Rappaport, , 1981Swift et Levin, 1987 ;Barr et a/., 1984;Riger, 1984;Vanderslice, 1984). Depuis la fin des années 80, on observe une progression exponentielle des études, publications et projets d'interventions directement liés à ce concept.…”