Promoting empowerment and self-care in older women through participatory action research: Analysis of the process of change

Abstract

Aim: To generate and understand the process of change in the empowerment of women from 60 to 80 years old through a Participatory Action Research. Specific aim: To analyse the women participants' experiences concerning empowerment and self-care. Design: We use the Participatory Action Research approach (in its critical option) in the Socio-critical Paradigm and applying the Kemmis and McTaggart Model. Methods: A group of 10 women participants from 60 to 80 years old was created and developed the Participatory Action Research from June 2019 to May 2020. This group was involved in 22 group sessions, individual interviews, reflective diaries and triangulation with quantitative data. Results: Findings were interpreted based on the Gestalt Self Theory. Women generated changes in their empowerment based on three characteristics (self-determination, self-esteem and self-confidence) and, consequently, in their self-care. They did so according to two distinct patterns of behaviour: Leader women and follower women. The former took the lead in transforming their realities and the latter observed them and evolved in a slower and more reflective manner. These changes had an impact on the most individual level (inner world) and went beyond that barrier, modifying in turn their immediate surroundings and the social level (outer world). Conclusions: The group of older women began to consider their needs and consider themselves as important once they worked on their self-determination, self-esteem and self-confidence; we show these are key aspects to work on their empowerment and promote their self-care. Impact: The patterns of behaviour and dimensions of empowerment detected may help in future research designs and emancipatory community interventions in this population group.