A concept analysis on the process of empowerment.

Definitions of empowerment abound in contemporary literature of many disciplines. The purpose of this article is to apply strategies by Walker and Avant to analyze the concept of empowerment from the nursing discipline. Definitions of empowerment and contextual applications are examined using dictionaries and professional literature. Defining attributes are identified and listed in order of importance. Antecedents and consequences of empowerment are discussed, and model, borderline, and contrary cases also are presented. A summation of the analysis along with directions for further research are presented. Clients are limited to and defined for this article as patients and families.