An Interpretation of Family within Orem's General Theory of Nursing

Abstract

This article offers an interpretation of family from the perspective of Orem's theory of nursing. The family is conceptualized within this theory from three perspectives: (a) as a factor that conditions an individual's requirements for care and ability to provide care for self; (b) as a dependent-care unit; and (c) as a unit of service. The meaning of these perspectives to the nurse is examined. The different assessment questions are identified. The family is seen as having functions related to the members' development of self-care agency and the establishment of appropriate dependent care systems in such a way as to promote the health of the entire family.

‘I’ll tell you what suits me best if you don’t mind me saying’: ‘lay participation’ in health‐care

“…These ‘New Nursing’ ( Beardshaw and Robinson 1990) ideas are evident in Primary Nursing, models of self‐care ( Orem 1995), collaborative care ( Frances et al. 1992) and family care ( Taylor 1989). As well as reflecting the influence of broader societal trends, these developments must also be understood in terms of the occupation’s ‘professional project’ ( Larson 1977; Witz 1992) and the desire of the nursing leadership to elevate the status and material rewards of nurses: empowering the client, can only be accomplished if nurses are themselves empowered ( Allen 1996).…”

Measurement of Orem’s Basic Conditioning Factors: A Review of Published Research

“…Mapanga and Andrews Perceived social support from family (1983) Self-care agency, contraceptive practice 75 (1995) Birth order, number of siblings McCaleb and Edgil (1994) Self-report Self-care practice 160 Living situation Moore (1993) Self-report Self-care performance 414 Family expectations, resources Taylor (1989) None None (theory development study) 0 available, size of family Living arrangement Ward-Griffin and Self-report Self-care agency 40 Bramwell (1990) Moore, 1996) or household members, number of siblings, and birth order (McCaleb & Edgil, 1994). Only social support and emotional support yielded significant results regarding family system factors.…”

Testing Orem's Theory with Mexican Americans

“…Self-care agency and dependent-care agency. The substantive structures of self-care agency and dependent-care agency are analogous and consist of three major dimensions (Orem 1995;Taylor, 1989). The first is general capabilities and dispositions foundational to meeting needs of self or meeting needs of others, such as a value system that supports meeting needs of self or others.…”

“…Relationship between self-care and dependent-care agency. Orem (1995) and Taylor (1989) have described self-care agency and dependent-care agency as separate concepts but with analogous three part structures; foundational capabilities, enabling capabilities or power components, and capabilities for estimative, transitional, and productive operations. However, based on examination of study findings, the adequacy of viewing self-care and dependent-care agency as separate concepts comes into question.…”

“…Informants' descriptions for engaging in care served as a means to determine the development and operability of self-care and dependent-care agency. According to Orem (1995) and Taylor (1989) the object of care provide the major distinction between these two concepts. Actions directed toward care of self provide evidence of self-care agency, while actions directed toward the care of others provides similar evidence of dependent-care agency.…”