Jean Watson’s Theory of Caring

Joel George, Shahannah Miranda, Kristy Lopez, and Bibin Abraham

Theory in Our Words

• Caring: – Is the essence of nursing– Compliments “curative medicine”– Gives nursing unique standing– Relationship occurs when the nurse and patient

come together• Transpersonal moment• Results in transcendence, harmony & healing.

Watson’s theory and the four major concepts

1.     Human beingShe adopts a view of the human being as:  “….. a valued person in and of him or herself to be cared for, respected, nurtured, understood and assisted; in general a philosophical view of a person as a fully functional integrated self. He, human is viewed as greater than and different from, the sum of his or her parts”.

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Watson’s theory and the four major concepts

2.     Health• Watson believes that there are other factors

that are needed to be included in the WHO definition of health. She adds the following three elements:

• A high level of overall physical, mental and social functioning

• A general adaptive-maintenance level of daily functioning

• The absence of illness (or the presence of efforts that leads its absence)

Watson’s theory and the four major concepts

3.      Environment/society

• According to Watson caring (and nursing) has existed in every society. A caring attitude is not transmitted from generation to generation. It is transmitted by the culture of  the profession as a unique way of coping with its environment.

Watson’s theory and the four major concepts

4.      Nursing• According to Watson “ nursing is concerned with

promoting health, preventing illness, caring for the sick and restoring health”.

• It focuses on health promotion and treatment of disease. She believes that holistic health care is central to the practice of caring in nursing.

• She defines nursing as…..“A human science of persons and human health-illness experiences that are mediated by professional, personal, scientific, esthetic and ethical human transactions”. 

Clients needs prioritized according to Jean Watson’s

theory• According to Watson, clients must satisfy

lower- order needs before attaining higher ones

• Follow Watson’s Hierarchy of 10 Carative Factors (Similar to Manlow’s) by providing care should be the central focus for the patient.

• The patient would be cared for, respected, nurtured, understood and assisted; a fully functional integrated self.

Clients needs prioritized according to Jean Watson’s

theory cont’d• Because the patient is bed ridden, the nurse would

make sure that there is caution and patient safety due to risk of falling, while making area as comfortable as possible and accessible to objects patient may need (e.g. telephone, bedside table).– By making patient as safe as possible, and comfortable

shows that the caring factor is present.

• The patient also feels sad and inadequate, therefore application of the 10 Carative factors would be enforced to let patient know that you are there for the provision for a supportive, protective, and (or) corrective mental, physical, sociocultural, and spiritual environment.

Clients needs prioritized according to Jean Watson’s

theory cont’d• Another Carative factor may be the instillation of

faith and hope.

• Assistance with the gratification of human needs by helping this patient know that they are adequate and are relevant may help increase patient from feeling sad and inadequate.

• The formation of a humanistic- altruistic system of values is one of the carative factors that will be used for this patient, causing the patients perspective to the health care professional.– This builds trust that the act of caring and selflessness

does exist and this may change the patients feeling of sadness.

Application of Maslows Hierachy to Jean Watson’s

theoryJean Watson believed that all human beings needs assistance with the gratification of human needs. It is grounded in a hierarchy of need similar to that of the Maslow’s.

• She has created a hierarchy which she believes is relevant to the science of caring in nursing.

• According to her each need is equally

important for quality nursing care and the promotion of optimal health. All the needs deserve to be attended to and valued.

Watson Vs. Maslow

Watson’s ordering of needs

• Higher order needs (psychosocial needs)

• The need for achievement

• The need for affiliation

• Higher order need (intrapersonal-interpersonal need)

• The need for self-actualization

NIC Interventions according to theorist

– Coping EnhancementCoping Enhancement 5230 pg. 238• - Assisting a patient to adapt to perceived

stressors, changes, or threats which interfere with meting life demands and roles.

– Mood ManagementMood Management 5330 pg. 498• -Providing for safety, stabilization, recovery, and

maintenance of a patient who is experiencing dysfunctionallly depressed or elevated mood.

– Emotional SupportEmotional Support 5270 pg. 314• -Provision of reassurance, acceptance, and

encouragement during times of stress.

NOC outcomes according to theorist

– CopingCoping 1302 pg. 249– Mood EquilibriumMood Equilibrium 1204 pg. 393– Loneliness SeverityLoneliness Severity 1203 pg. 381

• -Client verbalizes feelings related to present emotional state within 24 to 48 hours.

• -Client identifies recent stressful life events or sources of stress.

• -Client identifies signs and symptoms of current stress.

• -Client identifies current coping patterns and consequences of such behavior.