Two Middle-Range Theories in Relation to a Phenomenon of Interest

 

 

 


Instructions:
Select Your Theories and Phenomenon:
Begin by clearly stating the phenomenon of interest you wish to explore.
Identify two middle-range theories from the course that provide distinct lenses for understanding this phenomenon. Ensure that your choice is well grounded in the literature and relevant to the phenomenon you are addressing.


2.Explain Each Theory:
For each selected middle-range theory, provide a concise explanation of its core concepts, assumptions, and purpose.
Discuss the theoretical framework and how the theory is typically applied in nursing practice or research.


3- Compare and Contrast the Perspectives:


Comparison: Explain the similarities between the two theories regarding their approach to the phenomenon. Identify any overlapping concepts, shared assumptions, or common outcomes they may emphasize.
Contrast: Highlight the differences between them. Discuss how each theory uniquely shapes the understanding of the phenomenon, addressing aspects such as:
The theoretical constructs used to describe the phenomenon.
The implications for nursing practice or research that result from using one theory over the other.
Potential strengths and limitations of each theoretical perspective in capturing the nuances of the phenomenon.


4- Incorporate Evidence-Based Support:
Use at least two scholarly references (peer-reviewed articles, textbook chapters, or reputable sources) that detail how these middle-range theories have been applied or studied in relation to similar phenomena.
Summarize the key findings of these sources to support your analysis, and ensure that all citations follow APA 7th Edition guidelines.

 


Organize Your Post:
Introduction: Briefly introduce the phenomenon you will be discussing and state the two middle-range theories you have chosen. Provide context for why these theories are pertinent to your phenomenon.
Body:
Describe each theory individually, explaining its concepts and relevance to the phenomenon.
Include a section that directly compares and contrasts how each theory shapes your understanding of the phenomenon. Use subheadings or bullet points if needed to enhance clarity.
Conclusion: Summarize your key points, emphasizing how each theoretical perspective contributes a unique understanding of the phenomenon and its implications for practice or further research.

 

 

 

 

 

Sample Answer

 

 

 

 

 

 

Middle-Range Theories on Patient Self-Management of Chronic Disease

 

 

Introduction

 

The phenomenon of interest is Patient Self-Management and Adherence in Chronic Illness (e.g., Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus). This is a critical area in healthcare as effective self-management directly impacts morbidity, mortality, and healthcare costs. To explore this phenomenon, I've selected two middle-range theories that offer distinct but complementary views on behavior change: Pender's Health Promotion Model (HPM) and Bandura's Social Cognitive Theory (SCT). These theories are pertinent because they both focus on the psychological and social factors that motivate an individual to adopt and maintain complex health behaviors.

Pender's Health Promotion Model (HPM)

 

The Health Promotion Model (HPM), developed by Nola J. Pender, is a middle-range theory focused on explaining why individuals engage in health-promoting behaviors. Its primary purpose is to help nurses understand and predict patient health behaviors to better design interventions.

Core Concepts: HPM's key concepts fall into three categories:

Individual Characteristics and Experiences: Includes prior related behavior and personal factors (biological, psychological, and sociocultural).

Behavior-Specific Cognitions and Affect: The most important category, featuring concepts like perceived benefits of action, perceived barriers to action, perceived self-efficacy (confidence in ability), and activity-related affect (feelings about the behavior).

Behavioral Outcome: The ultimate commitment to a plan of action and the actual performance of the health-promoting behavior.

Assumptions and Application: HPM assumes that individuals actively seek to regulate their own behavior and that interaction with the environment is important. In nursing, HPM is often applied to design educational programs by focusing on reducing perceived barriers (e.g., making medication scheduling easier) and enhancing perceived self-efficacy and benefits (e.g., visualizing better health outcomes).