Page 602 - alligood 8th edition_Neat

CHAPTER 29 Pamela G. Reed 583

Reed’s past and forthcoming writings (Reed, 2013). generality, resulting in a theory that is applicable in
Structural consistency is good in that the identified many situations of health and healing.
relationships are logical and consistent.
It is not unusual to find these issues about clarity Accessibility
in definitions when a theory incorporates concepts How well the concepts of the theory are linked to
that are somewhat abstract. Overall, however, Reed’s observable, empirical reality and to nursing practice
theoretical thinking has remained congruent with the refers to the criterion of accessibility (Chinn and
original Rogerian and life span conceptual views and Kramer, 2011). Although the theory is abstract with
assumptions underlying her knowledge development, concepts of vulnerability, self-transcendence, and
and she conceptualized a theory that can be under- well-being, numerous researchers have identified and
stood by both nurse clinicians and nurse researchers. studied empirical indicators. In particular, measure-
ment of self-transcendence has been honed through
Simplicity the development and refinement of Reed’s Self-
Reed’s middle-range theory is strong on simplicity, Transcendence Scale. Well-being has been measured
with three major concepts (vulnerability, self-tran- by a variety of empirical indicators.
scendence, and well-being). The theory may increase Researchers may use different approaches and
in complexity somewhat as specific personal and en- empirical indicators to measure self-transcendence
vironmental factors and their relationships to the because the concept lends itself to a variety of ap-
major concepts are identified in clinical applications. proaches and measures that fit the clinical nursing
The major concepts and the number of relationships context of interest. Research findings that support a
generated by these concepts are minimal while still strong relationship among self-transcendence and
being meaningful and fairly comprehensive. well-being, as hypothesized by the theory, attest to the
theory’s empirical precision.
Generality
The scope and purpose of Reed’s theory are such that Importance
the theory can be applied to a wide variety of human Self-Transcendence Theory is a middle-range theory
health situations. The purpose of the theory is to en- that leads to valued goals in nursing education, practice,
hance nurses’ understanding about well-being (Reed, and research. The theory, which is grounded in nursing
2008). Initially, Reed’s work focused on developmental philosophy, research, and practice and is tested in re-
resources in persons confronted by challenges of later search, has produced new nursing knowledge that is
adulthood related to indicators of mental health symp- useful in practice. The theory provides insight into the
tomatology, specifically, clinical depression (Reed, developmental nature of humans related to health situ-
1983, 1986b, 1991a). In linking self-transcendence to ations relevant to nursing care. Nurses and patients face
mental health as an indicator of well-being, the scope events that challenge personal mortality. Knowledge of
of the theory expanded to include persons other than developmental resources (i.e., self-transcendence) can
older adults who were facing end-of-own-life issues be engaged for persons to expand nurses’ repertoire
(Reed, 1991b). Continued development and testing of for facilitating well-being in times of vulnerability.
the theory led to the specification of self-transcendence The abstract yet definable nature of self-transcendence
as a mediator between vulnerability and well-being, facilitates development of many interventions that may
and it supported the direct relationship between self- be tested as strategies to promote well-being in a variety
transcendence and well-being (Reed, 2003, 2008). The of nurse-patient encounters.
theory is now broader in scope and more congruent
with a life span perspective, because the major con-
cepts can be applied to anyone confronted with life Summary
events ranging from childbirth and caregiving to Self-Transcendence Theory was developed initially
long-term care contexts, life-threatening illness, and using deductive reformulation from life span devel-
dying. Broadening the scope and purpose of the opmental theories, Rogers’ conceptual system of
theory from mental health to well-being increased unitary human beings, empirical research, and clinical