Abstract
This study explored the influence of participation, gender and organizational sense of community (SOC) on both the intrapersonal
and interactional components of psychological empowerment (PE). Participants were residents (n = 562) involved in community
organizing efforts in five U.S. communities. Measures of participation and SOC were tailored to community organization contexts.
SOC assessed three dimensions: (1) connection of members to the organization; (2) perceptions about the organization as a
bridge to other groups and organizations in the broader community; and (3) bond or attachment to the community at large. Income
(low, middle and high-income) was tested as a moderator of these relationships. Results showed significant moderating effects
of income on the relationship between participation, gender and SOC on both components of PE. Participation was positively
related with intrapersonal empowerment across income levels, but positively related with interactional empowerment only for
low-income individuals. Gender was only associated with intrapersonal empowerment, and only for low-income individuals. SOC,
as expressed through bridging to the broader community, was positively related with interactional PE for all income levels,
but with intrapersonal PE for only low and middle-income individuals. In contrast, member connection to the organization was
not related to interactional empowerment and significantly related to intrapersonal empowerment only for individuals with
higher income. The importance of participation, gender and SOC for different types of empowerment and the impact of income
on the SOC-empowerment relationship are discussed.
and interactional components of psychological empowerment (PE). Participants were residents (n = 562) involved in community
organizing efforts in five U.S. communities. Measures of participation and SOC were tailored to community organization contexts.
SOC assessed three dimensions: (1) connection of members to the organization; (2) perceptions about the organization as a
bridge to other groups and organizations in the broader community; and (3) bond or attachment to the community at large. Income
(low, middle and high-income) was tested as a moderator of these relationships. Results showed significant moderating effects
of income on the relationship between participation, gender and SOC on both components of PE. Participation was positively
related with intrapersonal empowerment across income levels, but positively related with interactional empowerment only for
low-income individuals. Gender was only associated with intrapersonal empowerment, and only for low-income individuals. SOC,
as expressed through bridging to the broader community, was positively related with interactional PE for all income levels,
but with intrapersonal PE for only low and middle-income individuals. In contrast, member connection to the organization was
not related to interactional empowerment and significantly related to intrapersonal empowerment only for individuals with
higher income. The importance of participation, gender and SOC for different types of empowerment and the impact of income
on the SOC-empowerment relationship are discussed.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Category Original Paper
- Pages 1-11
- DOI 10.1007/s10464-012-9547-1
- Authors
- Paul W. Speer, Human and Organizational Development, Peabody College, Vanderbilt University, 230 Appleton Place, Nashville, TN 37203-5701, USA
- N. Andrew Peterson, School of Social Work, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ, USA
- Theresa L. Armstead, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, Atlanta, GA, USA
- Christopher T. Allen, School of Social Work, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ, USA
- Journal American Journal of Community Psychology
- Online ISSN 1573-2770
- Print ISSN 0091-0562