Hildegard E.

Peplau
A Middle-Range Nursing Theory Analysis

THEORY OF INTERPERSONAL
RELATIONS “A Light in the
Darkness”
THEORY OF INTERPERSONAL
RELATIONS
✧ Nursing is an
interpersonal
process
because it
involves
interaction
between two or
more
individuals with
a common goal.
HILDEGARD ELIZABETH PEPLAU
✧ Peplau’s theory focuses on the
interpersonal processes and
therapeutic relationship that
develops between the nurse and
client.
✧ The client is an individual with felt
need.
✧ Nursing goal is to educate the client
and family and to help the client reach
mature personality development.
✧ Psychodynamic nursing
HISTORY AND BACKGROUND

✧ Peplau was born on Reading, Pennsylvania in

September 1, 1909.
✧ Labeled “Mother of Psychiatric Nursing” and
“Psychiatric Nurse of the Century”
✧ Graduated from a diploma program in
Pottstown, Pennsylvania in 1931.
✧ Earned bachelor of Arts in Interpersonal
Psychology from Bennington College in 1943.
✧ Finished Master of Arts in Psychiatric Nursing
from Colombia University, New York in 1947.
✧ Achieved EdD in curriculum development in
1953.
HISTORY AND BACKGROUND
✧ Had been a Professor emeritus from
Rutgers University.
✧ Started the first post baccalaureate
program in nursing.
✧ Published “Interpersonal Relations in
Nursing” in 1952.
✧ In 1968, introduced interpersonal
techniques – the crux of psychiatric
nursing.
✧ Worked as executive director and
president of ANA. (Chinn, 2008)
 HISTORY AND BACKGROUND
✧ Hilda passed away, age 89,
March 17, 1999 leaving a
legacy of dignified and
healing relations with
patients, as well as healthy
roots for nursing education
and scholarly pursuits
✧ Hildegard carried a light and
will be remembered as the
“Mother of Psychiatric
Nursing”
(Callaway, 2002)
RELATIONSHIPS HAVE THREE
PHASES
✧ ORIENTATION PHASE
✧ Nurse and patient come together as
strangers; meeting initiated by patient
who expresses a “felt need”, work
together to recognize, clarify and
define facts related to the need .

✧ Problem defining phase.

✧ Starts when client meets nurse as stranger.
✧ Defining problem and deciding type of service
needed.
✧ Client seeks assistance, conveys needs, asks
questions, shares preconceptions and expectations
of past experiences.
✧ IDENTIFICATION PHASE
✧ Patient participates in goal setting
Selection of appropriate professional
assistance.
✧ Patient begins to have a feeling of
belonging and a capability of dealing
with the problem which decreases the
feeling of helplessness and
hopelessness.
✧ The patient identifies with those who
can help him/her.
✧ EXPLOITATION PHASE
✧ Use of professional assistance for
problem solving alternatives.
✧ Advantages of services are used and
based on the needs and interests of
the patients.
✧ Individual feels as an integral part of
the helping environment.
RESOLUTION PHASE

✧ Termination of professional
relationship.
✧ The patient’s needs have already
been met by the collaborative effort
of patient and nurse.
✧ Patient drifts away and breaks bond
with nurse and healthier emotional
behavior is demonstrated and both
become mature individuals.
ROLES OF NURSE IN THE NURSE-PATIENT
INTERPERSONAL RELATIONSHIP ARE AS
FOLLOWS:
✧ STRANGER receives the client in the same way one
meets a stranger in other life situations. Providing an
accepting climate that builds trust.
✧ TEACHER who imparts knowledge in reference to a
need or interest.
✧ RESOURCE PERSON: one who provides a specific
needed information that aids in the understanding of a
problem or new situation.
✧ COUNSELOR: helps to understand and integrate the
meaning of current life circumstances; provides
guidance and encouragement to make changes.
✧ SURROGATE: helps to clarify domains of dependence,
interdependence and independence and acts on client’s
behalf as an advocate.
✧ LEADER: helps client assume maximum responsibility
for meeting treatment goals in a mutuality satisfying
 THANK YOU VERY MUCH
AND HAVE A NICE DAY! ☺