Empowerment theory need not remain a mystery. Efforts, such as
those described in this special section, to outline more clearly the
nomological network of empowerment at multiple levels of analysis will advance
empowerment theory. Tough-minded rigorous research is needed to
advance the concept of empowerment. Empowerment research requires us
to shift our attention from a debate between the merits of research at one
level of analysis versus another to building bridges between levels of
analysis. We must integrate theories and methods from other disciplines
and develop research strategies that incorporate qualitative procedures and
the voices of the research participants. The papers in this special section
take aim on these tasks and add to our understanding of empowerment.