Psychological empowerment of human rights defenders: A grounded theory study

This study aims to identify the components that help or hinder human rights defenders to sustain their activities in the face of risks and challenges specific to human rights work and to explain the impact of these components on the empowerment of human rights defenders. Constructivist grounded theory method was utilized in the study. In this scope, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 10 human rights defenders who work with various disadvantaged groups and two mental health professionals who have experience working with human rights defenders. A theoretical framework explaining psychological empowerment in human rights defenders was created based on the analysis of the interview data through initial, focused and theoretical coding stages. As a result of the analysis, three main components were identified that affect the psychological empowerment of human rights defenders. These components are (1) resilience, (2) work-life balance, and (3) social support. The three main components affect the empowerment of human rights defenders in relation to 10 categories identified in the focused coding process. These categories are divided into three as personal, organizational, and social-political factors. The relation between these factors and the main components of psychological empowerment in human rights defenders is examined in detail in the findings section. It is thought that the study can contribute to individuals, groups and organizations that carry out human rights advocacy and at the same time guide practices on the empowerment of human rights defenders.