Page 427 - Encyclopedia of Nursing Research

394 n PeT THeRAPY

twenty-first century (Peplau, 1997). Through interpersonal relationship process in psychi-
this interpersonal relationship, nurses assess atric mental-health nursing care. Peden (1998)
P and assist people (a) to achieve healthy levels and her colleagues (e.g., Peden, Hall, Rayens,
of anxiety intrapersonally and (b) to facilitate & Beebe, 2001) have conducted several stud-
healthy pattern integrations interpersonally, ies on depression in college-age women in
with the overall goal of fostering well-being, which they found Peplau’s theory on phases
health, and development. of the relationship to be significant in the
The structure of the interpersonal rela- timing of their depression intervention.
tionship was originally described in terms Research has generated policy implica-
of four phases: orientation, identification, tions. The studies by McNaughton (2005)
exploitation, and resolution (Peplau, 1952). of pregnant women at risk and by Beeber
Forchuk (1991b), with the support of Peplau, et al. (2010) of latina mothers with depres-
clarified the structure as consisting of three sive symptoms had policy implications for
main phases: orientation, working (which increasing the standard number of visits to
incorporated identification and exploita- better facilitate positive mental and physi-
tion), and resolution. In a 1997 publication, cal health outcomes of the therapeutic rela-
Peplau endorsed this three-phase view and tionship. Although much of the research has
explained that the phases were overlap- focused on psychiatric and mental health set-
ping, each having unique characteristics. tings, increasingly researchers are studying
Throughout these phases, the nurse func- applications of the theory in other contexts
tions cooperatively with the patient in the (Nyström, 2007). Peplau’s theoretical ideas
nursing roles of stranger, resource person, continue to be significant in contemporary
counselor, leader, surrogate, and teacher. The nursing for their relevance not only in psy-
nurse’s range of focus includes the patient chiatric mental-health nursing practice but
in relationship with the family, other health also in practice anywhere a nurse–patient
care providers, and community (Peplau, relationship exists.
1952, 1997).
Peplau was explicit in promoting Pamela G. Reed
research-based theory. Research based on Nelma B. C. Shearer
Peplau’s theoretical model has addressed
topics related to both nurse behaviors and
patient health conditions. Nurse-focused
topics include: (a) the practices of psychiatric Pet theraPy
mental-health nurses, (b) the family systems
nursing, and (c) the nature of the nurse–
patient relationship in reference to roles and Using animals as an adjunct to treatment has
role changes over the trajectory of a mental been practiced by a variety of professionals
illness, boundary issues in pediatric nursing, including registered nurses, nurse practitio-
and concepts such as therapeutic intimacy. ners, physicians, physical and occupational
Patient-focused research has addressed therapists, social workers, psychologists,
health conditions including depression, psy- and licensed counselors (Delta Society, 2005;
chosis, sexual abuse, Alzheimer’s disease, Kruger & Serpell, 2006).
and multiple sclerosis. A particularly nota- Nursing, with its broad biopsychosocial
ble Peplau-based researcher is Forchuk (e.g., framework for disease management, makes
Forchuk, 1994; Forchuk et al., 1998; Forchuk, it an optimal venue for animal-assisted
Jewell, Tweedell, & Steinnagel, 2003), who, therapy practice. As clinicians, nurses are
along with colleagues, has conducted a pro- amenable to using nontraditional practices
gram of research into applications of the in an effort to heal and provide comfort for