MEASURING EMPOWERMENT IN FAMILIES WHOSE CHILDREN HAVE EMOTIONAL DISABILITIES - A BRIEF QUESTIONNAIRE

This paper describes the development and empirical examination of a brief questionnaire for assessing empowerment in families whose children have emotional disabilities. The questionnaire is based on a two-dimensional conceptual framework of empowerment derived from the literature. One dimension reflects empowerment with respect to the family, service system, and larger community and political environment; the other dimension reflects the expression of empowerment as attitudes, Knowledge, and behaviors. The paper outlines the questionnaire's conceptual basis, describes its development, and presents analyses of reliability and validity based on 440 responses of family members. Applications of the instrument in both research and service delivery are discussed.