The Sierra Bender Empowerment Method(R) and its Effects on a Female Population

The objective of this study, which replicated pilot study findings, was to evaluate the effectiveness of the Sierra Bender Empowerment Method® (SBEM®) and its effects on a female population. To test the SBEM®'s effectiveness a nonrandomized control group pretest-posttest design was used. The treatment group included fifty women who participated for the SBEM® and fourteen women who participated for the R&R Retreat program at Kripalu Institute for Yoga and Health over the same period of time. Results of a two-way analysis of variance for repeated measures indicated the SBEM® was effective in increasing empowerment and mindfulness as measured by the Empowerment Scale (1997) and Mindful Attention Awareness Scale (2002) and these increases were greater than those seen in the control group. All five-subscales of the Empowerment Scale increased significantly, which include self-esteem, power, autonomy, optimism, and righteous anger.