Child Psychiatric Nursing and the Family

Abstract

Within the growing body of nursing literature, a relatively new method of inquiry, critical theory, has emerged. Critical theory is used as a framework toward understanding the social realities in which child psychiatric nurses must act when negotiating with family systems. Nursing's predominant view of the family, structural-functionalism, is examined by the use of the dialectic and Habermasian critique. VER THE LAST SEVERAL YEARS, there has been increasing awareness of the need for more ex-145 Silva, M., & Rothbart, D. (1984). An analysis of changing trends in philosophies of science on nursing theory development and Slater, P. (1961). Parental role differentiation. American J o d of and the FnmrtY, 33, 139-159. 22. 299-311. InremOhd J o~ 2(3), 223-236.