This paper presents an analysis of Sister Calista Roy's conceptual model for nursing, usually referred to as the adaptation model. The analysis describes the theory and provides reasons for why it was chosen for review and analysis. The paper then goes on to discuss the development, meaning, logical adequacy, usefulness, completeness, and testability of the adaptation model.
Description of Theory and Reason for choosing
The nursing philosophy or model of Sister Calista Roy (see: Roy, 1997) focuses on the individual (person) as a biopsychosocial adaptive system. According to Roy (1997) nursing is a discipline that emphasizes strengthening, expanding, and improving upon the person's coping abilities for the purpose of enhancing the patient's wellness or health. The model was chosen for review because her work is studied and utilized frequently in nursing education (Roy & Andrews, 1999).
Roy and Andrews (1999) reported that the model was first presented in the periodical literature around 1970 and, almost since its first publication, has been used as a conceptual framework for nursing curriculum, nursing practice, and nursing research. Roy began work on her theory in the 1960s. Since she drew from existing work of a physiological psychologist, and behavioral, systems, and role theorists, the language/thinking of psychology and sociology became second nature to her.
The authors state that the model borrows from and expands upon theories from several other disciplines including Erick Erickson's psychosocial theory of human development, Hans Seyle's theory of stress, Maslow's model of the hierarchy of human needs, and Lazarus' cognitive model of coping. Roy (1997) notes that she has continuously expanded her model from its inception to the present.
Roy (1984, 1997), in applying the concepts of system and adaptation to man as a client of nursing, articulates nursing as a tool for use in practice, education, and re...