Compliance: an interactionist approach

Compliance is central to health care, but by its very nature it remains problematic to health care providers and health care receivers. In this article an interactional approach, the utilization of role theory, in the study of compliance is proposed. Rationale for the need for such a framework is provided through the presentation and critique of currently used models and theories, such as the medical model, the health belief model, control theory, and learning theory. Assumptions of the proposed framework are presented, and four components are identified when considering compliance enactment from an interactional perspective. These are: self-concept, role enactment, complementary roles, and periodic evaluation of role enactment by self and others. Several theoretical propositions evolve as central to the development of a unified framework for compliance. The propositions can be considered potential hypotheses. This article demonstrates one approach to theory development in nursing.