THE PROCESS OF EMPOWERMENT
A conceptual model of the process of empowerment in
mothers of chronically ill children is visually depicted in
Figure 1 The model reveals the mothers' commitment to,
bond with and love for their child, which motivated and
sustained the process of empowerment Frustration was a
powerful force that permeated the process and was a critical
factor in helping the mothers to discover reality
Furthermore, frustration evoked ongoing cycles of critical
reflection which subsequently enabled the mothers to take
charge of their situation and, then, to hold on to their
sense of power — even during changing circumstances
Participatory competence was the outcome of the process