Empowerment as a multi-level construct: perceived control at the individual, organizational and community levels

Abstract

Interest in the development of a conceptual framework and operationalization of empowerment that explores the relationships among different levels of analysis (individual, organizational and community) has been increasingly expressed in the literature. In this article we discuss a multi-level conceptualization of empowerment, examine empirical support for linking the different levels of analysis, describe a measurement instrument developed to assess perceived control at the individual, organizational and community levels, and examine a conceptual model of hypothesized correlates of perceived control, a partial measure of empowerment, at these three levels. Participation in organizations which attempt to influence public policy, taking an active or leadership role in a voluntary organization and belief that taking action is an effective means to influence community decisions are important correlates of perceived control at the organizational and community levels. Limitations of the study and implications for health education practice and research are discussed.