Defining psychological empowerment construct: analysis of three empowerment scales

Abstract

This study aimed to contribute to the validation of psychological
 empowerment, which is a combination of sense of control (intrapersonal
 component), critical awareness of the sociopolitical environment
 (interactional component), and community involvement (behavioral
 component). Three scales of empowerment used to evaluate the 3
 components were translated into Portuguese, adapted for the Portuguese
 population, and applied in person, by phone and by e-mail. Participants
 were enrolled in or had completed a program of recognition of prior
 learning. We tested reflective and formative measurement models and the
 results suggested that a reflective model fits the data better than a formative
 one. Confirmatory factor analysis confirmed psychological empowerment as
 a hierarchical third-order factor. Second-order factors correspond to the
 intrapersonal, interactional, and behavioral empowerment components,
 reflected in first-order factors: leadership competence, policy control, source
 of power, nature of power, instruments of power, and participation
 behaviors.

info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion