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Family theoretical perspectives and implications for nursing practice.
AACN Clinical Issues in Critical Care Nursing
|May 1, 1991
Summary
This article introduces four key theoretical frameworks—symbolic interactionism, systems, developmental, and social exchange theories—to guide health care professionals in viewing families as a unit. These theories enhance family practice and research in nursing.
Area of Science:
- Nursing
- Family Health
- Social Sciences
Background:
- Healthcare professionals traditionally focus on individuals, not families as a unit, in acute care settings.
- A lack of theoretical frameworks hinders observing families holistically.
- This limits comprehensive family-centered care and research.
Purpose of the Study:
- To present an overview of trends in family practice and research.
- To introduce four theoretical frameworks applicable to family nursing.
- To discuss the purpose, concepts, and nursing implications of each theory.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of trends in family practice and research.
- Overview of four major theoretical frameworks: symbolic interactionism, systems, developmental, and social exchange.
- Analysis of each theory's purpose, core concepts, and implications for nursing.
Main Results:
- Identified symbolic interactionism, systems, developmental, and social exchange theories as valuable frameworks.
- Demonstrated how these theories enable viewing the family as an interacting unit.
- Highlighted the relevance of these frameworks for current and future family nursing practice.
Conclusions:
- Theoretical frameworks are essential for advancing family nursing practice and research.
- Symbolic interactionism, systems, developmental, and social exchange theories offer robust perspectives for family-centered care.
- Adoption of these theories can improve the holistic care of families in acute settings.