Page 306 - Encyclopedia of Nursing Research

KINg’S CONCEPTUAL SySTEM AND THEORy OF gOAL ATTAINMENT n 273

as possible after birth, as often as possible and includes a sequence of goal-directed
thereafter, and for as long as possible each behaviors (King, 1981, p. 85). Organization
time. Nursing research is needed to test the is a system whose continuous activities are K
great potential that these various forms of conducted to achieve goals (King, p. 119).
KC have for quality care, stress reduction, As a grand level theory, King’s Conceptual
and mutual relaxation for the mother–infant System provides a distinct focus for the dis-
dyad and the family, improved outcomes, cipline, the process of nursing, and a frame-
parental satisfaction, and cost reduction. work for deriving middle-range theories.
The middle-range theory derived from
Gene Cranston Anderson the conceptual system was King’s Theory of
goal Attainment (King, 1981). This theory
is focused on nurse–client interactions that
lead to transactions and goal attainment.
King’S ConCeptual SyStem King developed a classification system of
and theory of goal behaviors in nurse–patient interactions that
lead to transactions and goal attainment. The
attainment key behaviors in the process of transactions
include mutual goal setting, exploration of
means to achieve goals, and agreement on
Introduced in 1981, Imogene King’s theory means to achieve goals. The theory of goal
focused on individuals as personal systems, attainment specifies the process of nurs-
two or more individuals as interpersonal sys- ing and emphasizes nursing outcomes.
tems, and organized boundary systems that Outcomes are defined as goals achieved and
regulate roles, behaviors, values, and roles as can be used to evaluate the effectiveness of
social systems. Concepts for understanding nursing care.
personal systems are perception, self, growth In the past 2 decades, there has been a
and development, body image, learning, considerable extension and application of
time, personal space, and coping. Concepts King’s Conceptual System and Theory of
important for understanding interpersonal goal Attainment (Frey & Sieloff, 1995). Also,
systems are interaction, communication, role middle-range theories are derived from the
stress/stressors, and transaction. Concepts conceptual system. In addition to King’s
useful for understanding social systems are theory of goal attainment, middle-range
organization, authority, power, status, and theories derived by others address family
decision making. Perception, interaction, (Doornbos, 2000; Wicks, 1995), health out-
and organization are comprehensive con- comes in children with chronic conditions
cepts for personal, interpersonal, and social (Frey, 1995), empathy (Alligood, 1995), and
systems, respectively. Perception is a process nursing department power (Sieloff, 2003).
of organizing, interpreting, and transform- Each theory represents an ongoing program
ing information from sense data and mem- of research.
ory (King, 1981, p. 24). Interaction is defined
as two or more persons in mutual presence Maureen A. Frey