Leveraging Psychological Empowerment in Community-based Participatory Research: A Case Study

Empowerment Theory is inherent but rarely applied to the CBPR process. This case study demonstrates the application of cognitive and relational empowerment with an evidence-based CBPR model in the development and implementation of Communities for Healthy Living (CHL), a family-centered childhood obesity prevention intervention integrated into Head Start services. This case study highlights how cognitive and relational empowerment can mitigate tokenism and address power dynamics in the context of a low resourced setting characterized by participant diversity and power differentials. By integrating empowerment concepts into the CBPR Conceptual Logic Model, the paper offers practical guidance on “how to” design and implement a genuine CBPR partnership with low-income parents, Head Start teachers, administrators and managers, and academic researchers.