The need for action when conducting intervention research: the multiple roles of community psychologists.
In choosing to implement empowering interventions with marginalized populations, community psychologists often have to merge research and action. We present three case stories that exemplify empowerment efforts in the context of a multi-year school intervention designed to develop the advocacy skills of ethnic minority students' with disabilities and promote attainment of transition-related goals. In the process of implementing the intervention, our research team had to instigate change, advocate, and/or mediate in multiple conflictual interactions between the various stakeholders in the schools. We faced both positive and negative consequences for our actions. We discuss the responsibilities of community psychologists in the process of empowering others and the implications for the practice of community research.
Balcazar
Fabricio E
FE
Department of Disability and Human Development, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois 60608, USA. fabricio@uic.edu
Garate-Serafini
Teresa J
TJ
Keys
Christopher B
CB
D000293:Adolescent; D019988:Children with Disabilities; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D011209:Power, Psychological; D024382:Professional Role; D011584:Psychology; D012574:Schools