Using empowerment theory in collaborative partnerships for community health and development

Stephen B. Fawcett; Adrienne Paine‐Andrews; Vincent T. Francisco; Jerry A. Schultz; Kimber P. Richter; Rhonda K. Lewis; Ella L. Williams; Kari Jo Harris; Jannette Y. Berkley; Jacqueline L. Fisher; Christine M. Lopez

doi:10.1007/bf02506987

Abstract

Abstract Models of community empowerment help us understand the process of gaining influence over conditions that matter to people who share neighborhoods, workplaces, experiences, or concerns. Such frameworks can help improve collaborative partnerships for community health and development. First, we outline an interactive model of community empowerment that describes reciprocal influences between personal or group factors and environmental factors in an empowerment process. Second, we describe an iterative framework for the process of empowerment in community partnerships that includes collaborative planning, community action, community change, capacity building, and outcomes, and adaptation, renewal, and institutionalization. Third, we outline activities that are used by community leadership and support organizations to facilitate the process of community empowerment. Fourth, we present case stories of collaborative partnerships for prevention of substance abuse among adolescents to illustrate selected enabling activities. We conclude with a discussion of the challenges and opportunities of facilitating empowerment with collaborative partnerships for community health and development.

Keywords

EmpowermentCommunity psychologyPublic relationsCommunity organizingHealth psychologyCommunity healthCommunity organizationCommunity developmentSociologyPublic healthPsychologyPolitical scienceNursingSocial psychologyMedicine

MeSH Terms

AdolescentAdultCommunity Health ServicesCommunity NetworksCommunity ParticipationFemaleHumansLeadershipMalePeer GroupPowerPsychologicalSocial SupportSubstance-Related Disorders

Affiliated Institutions

University of Kansas US

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Publication Info

Year: 1995
Type: article
Volume: 23
Issue: 5
Pages: 677-697
Citations: 458
Access: Closed

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APA Style

                            
                                
                                    Stephen B. Fawcett, 
                                
                                    Adrienne Paine‐Andrews, 
                                
                                    Vincent T. Francisco
                                
                                et al.
                            
                            (1995). 
                            Using empowerment theory in collaborative partnerships for community health and development. 
                            American Journal of Community Psychology
                            , 23
                            (5)
                            , 677-697.
                            https://doi.org/10.1007/bf02506987
                        

Identifiers

DOI: 10.1007/bf02506987
PMID: 8851345

Data Quality

Data completeness: 81%