Biological embedding: evaluation and analysis of an emerging concept for nursing scholarship

Abstract

Aim The purpose of this paper is to report the analysis of the concept of biological embedding. Background Research that incorporates a life course perspective is becoming increasingly prominent in the health sciences. Biological embedding is a central concept in life course theory and may be important for nursing theories to enhance our understanding of health states in individuals and populations. Before the concept of biological embedding can be used in nursing theory and research, an analysis of the concept is required to advance it toward full maturity. Design Concept analysis. Data Sources PubMed, CINAHL and PsycINFO were searched for publications using the term ‘biological embedding’ or ‘biological programming’ and published through 2015. Methods An evaluation of the concept was first conducted to determine the concept’s level of maturity and was followed by a concept comparison, using the methods for concept evaluation and comparison described by Morse. Results A consistent definition of biological embedding – the process by which early life experience alters biological processes to affect adult health outcomes – was found throughout the literature. The concept has been used in several theories that describe the mechanisms through which biological embedding might occur and highlight its role in the development of health trajectories. Biological embedding is a partially mature concept, requiring concept comparison with an overlapping concept – biological programming – to more clearly establish the boundaries of biological embedding. Conclusions Biological embedding has significant potential for theory development and application in multiple academic disciplines, including nursing.

Prenatal and Intrapartum Factors Associated With Infant Temperament: A Systematic Review

“…Second, ‘biological embedding' is another hypothesised mechanism. Biological embedding refers to ‘the process by which early life experiences alter biological processes to affect adult health outcomes' ( 19 ) and starts in early pregnancy in response to environmental stressors, bringing structural and functional changes at both molecular and physiological levels ( 12 , 20 , 21 ). Hence, prenatal environmental factors should be emphasised to understand the development of a child's temperament ( 22 , 24 ).…”

Cuidados del desarrollo en recién nacidos prematuros: fundamentos y características principales

“…Estos pueden sintetizarse utilizando el modelo de incrustación de estrés neonatal (Neonatal Stress Embedding Model), que describe los mecanismos neurobiológicos de la incrustación biológica por exposición al estrés neonatal en la uCIN y sus efectos en el desarrollo neurológico. La programación biológica es el proceso por el cual la exposición temprana al estrés, durante períodos críticos o sensibles del desarrollo, afecta los resultados de salud a largo plazo a través de cambios permanentes en los procesos biológicos 16 . Los períodos críticos o sensibles son aquellos durante los cuales se produce un crecimiento rápido del cerebro, lo que lo hace vulnerable a daños ambientales.…”

The biological embedding of neonatal stress exposure: A conceptual model describing the mechanisms of stress‐induced neurodevelopmental impairment in preterm infants

“…The purpose of this paper is to present a mechanistic conceptual model, the Neonatal Stress Embedding (NSE) model, which describes the biological embedding of neonatal stress exposure in the NICU and its effects on short and long‐term neurodevelopment (Figure ). Biological embedding is the process by which early life stress exposure during critical or sensitive periods of development affects long‐term health outcomes through permanent changes to biological processes (Nist, ). Critical or sensitive periods are those during which rapid brain growth is occurring, making the brain vulnerable to environmental insults (Buschdorf & Meaney, ).…”

“…Biological embedding is the process by which early life stress exposure during critical or sensitive periods of development affects long-term health outcomes through permanent changes to biological processes (Nist, 2017). Critical or sensitive periods are those during which rapid brain growth is occurring, making the brain vulnerable to environmental insults (Buschdorf & Meaney, 2015).…”