Abstract
The purpose of this study was to clarify the constructive concept of an empowered community. The focus interview was conducted with three health promotion academicians and a skilled public health nurse. A qualitative analysis was employed. The result revealed 127 sub-categories and 36 middle categories which could be arranged into 11 upper categories. The constructive concept was mainly classified into the following areas : personal, organizational and community. The personal area comprised realization of health and health behavior changes. The organizational area pertained to organizational growth, the notification of common issues and influences on the community, participation in decision-making, and the shaping of partnerships. The community area included the following factors : community cultures which respects a variety of aspects, growth through interaction and mutual aid, people's participation in their community activities, improvement with regard to support networks, increase in the social resources of the community and policy improvement, as well as change with respect to municipal government and health professionals. Therefore, the desirable state of an empowered community was one in which interpersonal relationships grow dynamically, and people interact with each other as social resources in order to influence their community. This situation can be considered from the community empowerment orientation and an evaluation viewpoint.
