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. 2017 Jan;44(1):75-88.
doi: 10.1007/s11414-016-9499-6.

Empowerment and Social Support: Implications for Practice and Programming Among Minority Women with Substance Abuse and Criminal Justice Histories

Alexandra Barringer  1 , Bronwyn A Hunter  2 , Doreen D Salina  3 , Leonard A Jason  4
Affiliations

Empowerment and Social Support: Implications for Practice and Programming Among Minority Women with Substance Abuse and Criminal Justice Histories

Alexandra Barringer et al. J Behav Health Serv Res. 2017 Jan.

Abstract

Programs for women with substance abuse and criminal justice histories often incorporate empowerment and social support into service delivery systems. Women's empowerment research has focused on the relationship between women's personal identities and the larger sociopolitical context, with an emphasis on how community-based resources are critical for promoting well-being. Social support often protects against negative outcomes for individuals who live with chronic stress. However, few studies have evaluated community resource knowledge and empowerment among marginalized women or how social support might strengthen or weaken this relationship. This study investigated resource knowledge, social support, and empowerment among 200 minority women in substance abuse recovery who had recent criminal justice involvement. Results indicated that resource knowledge was related to empowerment and belonging social support marginally moderated this relationship. In addition, education level increased and current involvement in the criminal justice system decreased empowerment. Implications for research, practice, and policy are discussed.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest for this study.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Belonging Support and Resource Knowledge on Empowerment Scores
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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