Participation as a mechanism to favour psychological empowerment and positive interaction: The “Ágora Infantil” participatory democracy programme

• Published in: Journal of community psychology Vol. 48; no. 5; pp. 1347 - 1364
• Main Authors: Albornoz‐Manyoma, Nazly G., García‐Leiva, Patricia, Palacios‐Gálvez, María S.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Wiley Subscription Services, Inc 01.07.2020
• Subjects: children; Democracy; Empowerment; Group dynamics; Participation; participatory democracy; Political participation; positive interaction; psychological empowerment; Quasi-experimental methods; Research design; participation; children; psychological empowerment; positive interaction; participatory democracy
• ISSN: 0090-4392; 1520-6629
• DOI: 10.1002/jcop.22328

This investigation aims to show the relationship between participation and psychological empowerment and between participation and interaction under an institutional political participation programme. This initiative known as Ágora Infantil (AI) is characterised by an obligatory draw‐based deliberative participation methodology with superordinate goals based on group dynamics, with games playing a central role. The evaluation was carried out using a quasi‐experimental design, with quantitative measurements of the experimental and control groups, along with systematic observation of the target group. The results support the hypotheses proposed: Participation in the AI programme led to an increase in psychological empowerment and positive interactions between the participants. These results offer information as to what design should be used for these types of political initiatives to favour inclusion and empowerment of children, while at the same time improving classroom relationships.