Humanistic Nursing, Interpersonal Relations Theory, and the Empathy-Altruism Hypothesis

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to illuminate the relevance and applicability of theory for nursing research and practice. Following a brief explanation of the four levels of theoretical abstraction recognized by nursing, Paterson and Zderad's humanistic nursing theory and Peplau's theory of interpersonal relations are described. In addition, one social psychology theory, the empathy-altruism hypothesis, is also explained. The value and implications of the three theories for nursing research and practice are discussed, and several research questions are proposed.

The values and qualities of being a good helper: A qualitative study of adult foster home caregivers for persons with serious mental illness

“…A number of factors in this model resonate with the requirements of non-professional as well as professional caregiving: the formation of a humanistic-altruistic value system; cultivation of sensitivity to others; development of trusting relationships; use of creative problem-solving processes; the creation of supportive, protective, environments and assistance with the gratification of human needs. Care ethics based on character and the exercise of virtues such as compassion, honesty, altruism, good judgment and patience have been recommended not only for nursing practice, but as an ethical framework for psychiatry as well (Armstrong, 2006;Bloch, 2006;McCamant, 2006;Winch, 2006).…”

Critical Review of the Evolving Essence of the Science of Nursing: Complexity Integrated Nursing Theory

“…The human being has a continuous flow of energy through the connected components that make up the individual. Similarly, the humanistic theory views the human being as an open energy field with unique life experiences [3][4][5]. The human being as an energy field is more than the sum of the individual parts [3].The two meta theories exhibited parallels on the perspective of the human being containing energy and holistic view of the human being.…”

Emphatic Tendency and Affecting Factors in Nursing Students

“…In this context, for eligible nursing care, teaching professional values to students and developing communication and helping skills in nursing education is very important [6,[18][19][20][21]. In a profession that gives importance to emphatic tendency such as nursing, it is expected that nurses who have higher empathy level understand the patient more and their help towards patient are better in comparison with nurses who have low level of empathy [17]. Because of this reasons in this study it was aimed to determine empathy tendency in nursing students and factors that affect emphatic tendency.…”

“…When looked from this aspect, emphatic tendencies cause positive effects on patient and in reaching aimed caring results, emphatic tendency is used as a criteria [9,16]. People that have emphatic tendencies, help in higher rates to the person who they perceived in need [16,17]. In this context, for eligible nursing care, teaching professional values to students and developing communication and helping skills in nursing education is very important [6,[18][19][20][21].…”