Abstract
Objectives
This study explored the differences in individual empowerment outcomes of a group of socially disadvantaged women participating in physical activity promotion. The outcomes observed were assessed in the context of the women’s mode of participation and the structural organizational and community level changes, which took place during the implementation of the program.
Methods
Fifteen semi-structured qualitative interviews were conducted and analyzed using qualitative content analysis. Two groups of women participated in the interviews—those involved in the whole process of planning, implementation and evaluation of the program and those who took part in the program activities.
Results
Individual empowerment outcomes were achieved for all those interviewed, although those participating in the planning, implementation and evaluation of the program achieved the greatest. A number of organizational and community level processes were also identified that supported the individual empowerment of those taking part.
Conclusions
This study supports the use of multilevel empowerment approaches to health as they help to identify the ideal characteristics that organizations and communities should possess and the potential structural changes required to support individual empowerment.
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This paper belongs to the special issue “Migrants and ethnic minorities in Europe: new challenges for public health research and practice”.
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Röger, U., Rütten, A., Frahsa, A. et al. Differences in individual empowerment outcomes of socially disadvantaged women: effects of mode of participation and structural changes in a physical activity promotion program. Int J Public Health 56, 465–473 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00038-010-0214-8
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00038-010-0214-8