Empowerment: Process, Level, and Context

A critical analysis of the concept of empowerment and the theoretical distinction between empowerment process and outcome (Zimmerman, 2000) are presented. Based on Zimmerman s conceptualisation, and the interaccional perspective (Bronfenbrenner, 1987), we argue that the distinction between empowerment process and outcome, though analytically useful (if based on the perception of the community itself from their own experience, which must be understood by professional agent) is not always viable in absolute or objective terms. In addition, we suggest to distinguish between context and level of analyses in empowerment theory, and to analyze the context of the empowerment phenomenon at the individual, organizational and community level, which clarifies the definition of each of them. In sum, empowerment is conceived as a process within successive contexts that benefits not only individuals, but also different social aggregate kinds of groups.