Investigación-acción-participativa sobre empoderamiento en mujeres mayores: un análisis teórico-metodológico / Participatory Action Research on empowerment in older women: a theoretical-methodological analysis

Este artículo tiene como objetivo analizar conceptual y metodológicamente el uso de la investigación-acción-participativa (IAP), a través de una investigación de campo, con el fin de aumentar los conocimientos sobre el mismo, e ilustrar sus fortalezas y debilidades para favorecer su uso en Ciencias de la Salud.Dentro de la metodología cualitativa, la IAP se puede utilizar como herramienta de análisis del cambio y de transformación, cuyo objetivo es la emancipación y liberación de las personas que se encuentran en un determinado contexto social opresivo.Se realiza la valoración de este enfoque en base a una investigación de campo con mujeres mayores que buscaba mejorar su autocuidado a través del empoderamiento. Para ello, se desarrolló una IAP compuesta por 22 sesiones y dos llamadas telefónicas individuales donde se utilizaron herramientas de generación de datos cualitativas y cuantitativas; todo ello mediante la modalidad más crítica de la IAP. En un ejercicio de reflexividad, se detectan modificaciones y mejoras en la intervención para trabajar con mujeres mayores en futuras investigaciones.El análisis realizado permite generar nuevo conocimiento sobre la IAP para futuras investigaciones gracias a la identificación de puntos críticos: el vínculo generado, la adaptación de herramientas a las mujeres mayores y el manejo del elevado volumen de datos que se produce.(AU)

This article aims to conceptually and methodologically analyse the use of Participatory Action Research (PAR), through field research, in order to increase knowledge about it, and to illustrate its strengths and weaknesses to encourage its use in Health Sciences.Within qualitative methodology, PAR can be used as a tool for the analysis of change and transformation, whose objective is the emancipation and liberation of people who find themselves in an oppressive social context.The assessment of this approach is based on field research with older women who sought to improve their self-care through empowerment. For this purpose, PAR was undertaken, consisting of 22 sessions and two individual telephone calls where qualitative and quantitative data generation tools were used; all this through the most critical modality of PAR. In an exercise of reflexivity, modifications and improvements in the intervention were detected to work with older women in future research.The analysis carried out makes it possible to generate new knowledge on PAR for future research thanks to the identification of critical points: the link generated, the adaptation of tools to older women, and the handling of the high volume of data produced.(AU)

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

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.

Participatory Action Research on empowerment in older women: A theoretical-methodological analysis.

This article aims to conceptually and methodologically analyse the use of Participatory Action Research (PAR), through field research, in order to increase knowledge about it, and to illustrate its strengths and weaknesses to encourage its use in Health Sciences. Within qualitative methodology, PAR can be used as a tool for the analysis of change and transformation, whose objective is the emancipation and liberation of people who find themselves in an oppressive social context. The assessment of this approach is based on field research with older women who sought to improve their self-care through empowerment. For this purpose, PAR was undertaken, consisting of 22 sessions and two individual telephone calls where qualitative and quantitative data generation tools were used; all this through the most critical modality of PAR. In an exercise of reflexivity, modifications and improvements in the intervention were detected to work with older women in future research. The analysis carried out makes it possible to generate new knowledge on PAR for future research thanks to the identification of critical points: the link generated, the adaptation of tools to older women, and the handling of the high volume of data produced.