Working on the positive emotional attractor through training in health care

Abstract

PurposeThe aim of this paper is to link complexity theory to the intentional change process by examining the role of emotional attraction. A research study currently underway on intentional change theory (ICT) in a healthcare context is presented.Design/methodology/approachThis paper uses the concept of “attractors” from complexity theory to suggest that emotion affects the process of intentional change in different ways dependent upon whether the emotion is positive or negative. Determination of the emotion in this way proposes the existence of either a positive emotional attractor (PEA) or a negative emotional attractor (NEA). The paper discusses positive psychology's perspective on the differential impacts of positive and negative emotion. The paper also outlines an ongoing research project at a Veterans Affairs Medical Center which examines the concept of PEA and its effect on diabetes self‐management as well as its consequent role in improved health.FindingsA review of the literature and subsequent development of hypotheses and the conceptual model, indicate education for chronically ill adults must be purposeful and directed toward a self‐perceived need for personal change; include their own disease experience; allow them to become active participants in learning; and lastly, the learning process should be considerate of individual cognitive ability.Originality/valueICT could address the needs of chronically ill patients as its focus is a self‐directed journey to personal change and learning. The potential of ICT is enormous given that diabetes is a national problem that has reached epidemic proportions.

An overview of intentional change from a complexity perspective

“…It is even suggested that formation of learning goals or learning-oriented goals builds from this attractor and results in more successful change. The papers by Dyck et al (2006) and Howard (2006) in this issue explain this dynamic more. But another attractor is also at play in the system -the negative emotional attractor (NEA).…”

Multiple organ dysfunction syndrome pathogenesis and care: a complex systems’ theory perspective

“…It is possible that the effects of such subtle changes emerge gradually over time as the person‐system evolves and adapts to illness. For example, Dyck et al (2006) have proposed the notion of ‘emotional attraction’. Activation of positive emotion has been shown to exert a favourable effect on cognition, intention and physiology, whereas negative emotion has been shown to have adverse effects.…”

“…Although caring stimuli that increase positive emotion and/or decrease negative emotion do not address the pathophysiology of MODS per se , nonetheless, according to the principles of complexity they may ultimately direct the person‐system towards survival. If we acknowledge the system person as a complex adaptive system capable of self‐organization, then subtle actions may be more appropriate to let the system change itself, and to let direction arise by ‘gradually shifting time and attention towards those things that seem to be working’ (Dyck et al , 2006). Indeed, Golbin and Umantsev (2006), through an analysis of different cases of human disorders with complex dynamics concluded that adaptive disorders with chaotic symptoms (such as MODS) should not be aggressively treated, if over‐treated the whole organism may lead to chronic disease or even death.…”

Resonance and Dissonance Asymmetry in Effective Physician–Patient Relationships

“…22 The characteristics of these are shown in Table 2. By accessing patients' hopes, dreams, possibilities, and strengths or in effect their ideal self, the PEA condition is created.…”

“…Dissonance is expressed by the negative emotional attractor (NEA) and consists of the gaps between patients' ideal and real self or their fears, problems, and shortfalls. 22 This paper explains that the asymmetrical relationship should favour resonance over dissonance to facilitate an effective physician-patient relationship. Specifi cally, this paper examines the positive and negative emotional attractors created by physicians and their respective infl uence on effective communication during diagnostic encounters with patients.…”