Participatory Research's Contribution to a Conceptualization of Empowerment¹

Abstract

Empowerment has emerged in recent years as a popular strategy for addressing social issues. A potential intervention approach for applied researchers interested in studying empowerment is participatory research (PR). PR is a theory and intervention approach for involving oppressed people in the study of and solutions to social problems. It is a strategy that works to transform social structure to benefit oppressed people. This article examines PR's contribution to a conceptualization of empowerment on both a theoretical and applied level. First, PR literature and its conceptualization of empowerment are described. Following this, PR is proposed as an intervention approach for applied researchers interested in studying empowerment. A case study involving the formation of a Homeless Persons Union is provided as an example of applied PR.

Measuring empowerment in client-run self-help agencies

“…Community psychology and some of the social science literature posits an ecological model of empower-ment requiring multiple levels of analysis, and entails study of individuals as actors within their organizational and social environment (Pinderhughes, 1983;Rappaport, 1987;Wallerstein, 1992;Yeich and Levine, 1992). This literature then attempts to identify the underlying dimensions and correlates of empowerment at the individual level of analysis, while seeing individual empowerment as inextricably linked to civic or group participation.…”

“…Providers generally have adopted "empowerment" as a program principle in services geared towards meeting the needs of mentally disabled clients, including those who are homeless; this may include programs designed to foster increased social skills, greater client decision-making in program operations, and supportive peer interactions (Berman-Rossi & Cohen, 1988;Cohen, 1989;Mowbray, 1990;Susser, Goldfinger, & White, 1990). However, self-helpers argue that empowerment in any context cannot be bestowed by those with greater power upon those with less; it must be initiated from the bottom up, by those who seek self-determination, a claim recognized by some people who are not selfhelp practitioners (Rappaport, 1985;Simon, 1990;Yeich & Levine, 1992;Pinderhughes, 1983;Gruber & Trickett, 1987).…”

Are All Consumer-Operated Programs Empowering Self-Help Agencies?

“…Rossi & Cohen, 1988;Cohen, 1989;Mowbray, 1990;Susser, Goldfinger, & White, 1990). However, consumers and others argue that empowerment in any context cannot be bestowed by those with greater power on those with less; it must be initiated' from the bottom up, by those who seek self-determination (Gruber & Trickett, 1987;Pinderhughes, 1983;Rappaport, 1985;Simon, 1990;Yeich & Levine, 1992).…”

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

“…La notion d'empowerment renvoie traditionnellement à l'acquisition de nouveaux droits ou de nouvelles ressources au moyen de la mobilisation collective (Lee, 1994;Yeich et Levine, 1992). Plus précisément, il s'agit d'un terme qui, au fil des nombreuses luttes sociales menées par les mouvements progressistes (syndicaux, féministes, antiracistes, etc.…”

“…Toutefois, cette nécessité d'agir n'est qu'un moyen qu'il faut distinguer de l'objectif poursuivi. Que celui-ci soit d'abord envisagé sous l'angle personnel (Chesney et Chesler, 1993;Lord, 1991, Ozer et Bandura, 1990Strong, 1989) ou collectif (Breton, 1994a(Breton, , 1994b(Breton, , 1993(Breton, , 1989Wallerstein, 1993;Yeich et Levine, 1992;Cox, 1991, Delgado-Gaetan, 1991, il doit toujours aboutir à un changement significatif du point de vue des personnes ou des groupes concernés.…”