The present study combined the literature analysis with the empirical study and proposed a Chinese local conception of psychological empowerment, which was defined as a process of personality-oriented, self-motivated, and proactive control with the aim of community members' citizen participation. Its basic dimension comprised an inclination to…

Sociopolitical control (SPC) is generally considered to be a vital element of the intrapersonal component of psychological empowerment, despite contradictory findings concerning the dimensionality of the construct when applied to a youth population. This study tested the Sociopolitical Control Scale for Youth (SPCS-Y), which was designed to…

In commenting on Prilleltensky's (this issue, pp. 116-136) interesting and provocative article, the authors share with readers their perspectives on empowerment as a concept and as an intervention strategy. Conceptually, they appreciate the seeming paradox that "someone" would acquire control over a less than satisfactory situation by having…

Prilleltensky's notion of psychopolitical validity elevates power as a key phenomenon of interest within community psychology. Importantly, two types of psychopolitical validity are articulated: epistemic--the explicit study of power, and transformative--understanding the role of power in social change. In this article, the author develops the…

This article examines Prilleltensky's concept of psychopolitical validity in terms of its locus within the continuum of individual-relational-collective well-being. It argues that the strength of Prilleltensky's position is its emphasis on the need for structural changes in power relationships rather than the imposition of ameliorative…

First-order and second-order models of sense of community (SOC) were tested using confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) of data gathered from a random sample of community residents (n=293) located in the midwestern United States. An 8-item Brief Sense of Community Scale (BSCS) was developed to represent the SOC dimensions of needs fulfillment, group…

In this article, the authors explore the spiritual dimensions of psychopolitical validity and use it as a lens to analyze clergy sexual abuse. The psychopolitical approach suggests a comprehensive human science methodology that invites exploration of phenomena such as spirituality and religious experience and the use of methods from a wide variety…

The authors explore the implications of recent proposals for a focus on power and social change in community psychology research and add needed contextual and methodological specificity. An expanded model of psychopolitical validity is presented that merges Isaac Prilleltensky's (this issue, pp. 116-136) domains, or stages of empowerment…

We describe two interventions designed to encourage community action with youth in a school and a community service setting. The school intervention took place with a Year 10 class, while the community-based intervention took place with a group of same-sex attracted youth. Using a participatory action research framework, youth in both settings…