NURSING THEORY

SISTER CALLISTA ROY: ADAPTATION THEORY

Sister Callista Roy is a member of the Sisters of Saint

Joseph of Carondelet. She received a bachelor of
science in nursing from Mount Saint Mary’s College
in Los Angeles California, a master of science in
nursing from UCLA, and a master’s degree and
doctorate in sociology from UCLA (Philips,
2002). Roy first proposed the RAM while studying for
her master’s degree at UCLA, where Dorothy Johnson
challenged students to develop conceptual models of
nursing (Philips, 2002; Roy & Andrew, 1999). She
received many honors and awards for her scholarly
and professional work and is currently the Graduate
Faculty Nurse Theorist
at Boston College, School of Nursing 

PHILOSOPHICAL UNDERPINNINGS OF THE

THEORY

Johnson’s nursing model was the impetus for the development of Roy’s Adaptation
Model. Roy also incorporated concepts from Helson’s adaptation theory, von
Bertalanffy’s system model, Rapoport’s system definition, the stress and adaptation
theories of Dohrenrend and Selye, and the coping model of Lazarus

MAJOR ASSUMPTIONS, CONCEPTS AND RELATIONSHIPS ASSUMPTIONS

In the Adaptation Model, assumptions are specified as scientific assumptions or

philosophical assumptions.

Scientific Assumptions

 Systems of matter and energy progress to higher levels of complex self-

organization.
 Consciousness and meaning are constitutive of person and environment
integration
 Awareness of self and environment is rooted in thinking and feeling
 Humans by their decisions are accountable for the integration of creative
processes.
 Thinking and feeling mediate human action
  System relationships include acceptance, protection, and fostering of
interdependence
 Persons and the earth have common patterns and integral relationships
 Persons and environment transformations are created in human
consciousness
 Integration of human and environment meanings results in adaptation

Philosophical Assumptions

 Persons have mutual relationships with the world and God

 Human meaning is rooted in the omega point convergence of the universe.
 God is intimately revealed in the diversity of creation and is the common
destiny of creation.
 Persons use human creative abilities of awareness, enlightenment, and faith.
 Persons are accountable for the processes of deriving, sustaining and
transforming the universe

The Four Modes of Adaptation

1. Physiologic-Physical Mode

Physical and chemical processes involved in the function and activities of living
organisms; the underlying need is physiologic integrity as seen in the degree of
wholeness achieved through adaptation to change in needs.

2. Self-concept- Group Identity Mode

Focuses on psychological and spiritual integrity and sense of unity, meaning, and
purposefulness in the universe

3. Role Function Mode

Roles that individuals occupy in society, fulfilling the need for social integrity. It is
knowing who one is in relation to others.

4. Interdependence Mode

The close relationships of people and their purpose, structure and development
individually and in groups and the adaptation potential of these groups.
RRL

Due to the influence of various psychological, social, and cultural factors on breast
cancer, women are reluctant to screen their breast cancer symptoms at the early
stages when treatment is most expected to be successful. Screening options for
Asian women are also limited because of demographic constrains and their
knowledge of preventive health measures. This paper proceeds to review the
existing literature on factors influencing breast cancer screening among Asian
women. For the most part, health care professionals, medical doctors, gynecologists,
and breast cancer advocates should find actual ways to overcome psychological
barriers such as beliefs about pain, fear, embarrassment, and modesty of women
through public awareness campaigns. Considerable attention should be also
devoted to lower socioeconomic status women. In the same way, health care
providers should explain to the women about the importance of breast cancer as a
common disease and the existence of breast cancer screening programs in a small
scale approach, as well as the benefits that participation in these programs can offer.
This initiative is about enhancing health status among women and it is part of
community development endeavor.

[Maryam Ahmadian, Asnarulkhadi Abu Samah. A Literature Review of Factors

Influencing Breast Cancer Screening in Asian Countries. Life Sci J 2012]