Evolution of a Conceptual Model for Adaptation to Chronic Illness

Authors: Weinert, Clarann; Cudney, Shirley; Spring, Amber

Source: Journal of Nursing Scholarship, Volume 40, Number 4, December 2008 , pp. 364-372(9)

Buy & download fulltext article:

Price: $48.00 plus tax (Refund Policy)

Abstract:

Purpose: To describe the evolution of “The Women to Women Conceptual Model for Adaptation to Chronic Illness.”

Design: A three-phase, computer-based research intervention to provide support and health information to chronically ill middle-aged women living in rural areas of the intermountain West.

Evolution of a Conceptual Model: The path of the conceptualization of the WTW project was traced from a single concept to its present explanatory, multiconcept model consisting of three major adaptation constructs (environmental stimuli, psychosocial response, illness management) with related middle-range theoretical concepts (focal, contextual, and residual stimuli, psychosocial adaptation, chronic illness self-management, and quality of life) including empirical indicators and measures for each.

Clinical Relevance: As the computer-based intervention is maturing, we are demonstrating its efficacy in helping rural women to better manage chronic illness. At the completion of this study, the intervention should be adequately tested so that it could be adapted for use by advanced practice nurses especially those working with people in isolated rural areas.

Keywords: conceptual model; chronic illness; adaptation

Document Type: Research article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1547-5069.2008.00241.x

Affiliations: 1: Clarann Weinert, RN, SC, PhD, FAAN, Zeta Upsilon, Professor, College of Nursing; Shirley Cudney, RN, MA, GNP, Zeta Upsilon, Associate Professor, Retired, College of Nursing; Amber Spring, BS, Women to Women Project Coordinator, College of Nursing; all at Montana State University, Bozeman, MT. The authors acknowledge the Women to Women research team without whose creative thinking and insights The “Women to Women Conceptual Model for Adaptation to Chronic Illness” would not have come into being: Patricia Oriet, BSN, WHNP and Drs. Wade Hill, Charlene Winters, Therese Sullivan, Lynn Paul, Deborah Haynes, Elizabeth Kinion, and Susan Luparell. Funding was as follows—Phase One: MSU College of Nursing Block Grant; Montanans on a New Track for Science; American Cancer Society; American Association of Diabetes Educators; SC Ministry Foundation; National Multiple Sclerosis Society; National Arthritis Foundation; U.S. Dept. of Agriculture; National Institutes of Health/National Institute of Nursing Research (Shannon Award; R55 NR04422-01A1). Phase Two: National Institutes of Health/National Institute of Nursing Research (1R01NR007908-01); Zeta Upsilon Research Award; SC Ministry Foundation; National Arthritis Foundation. Phase Three: National Institutes of Health/National Institute of Nursing Research (02R01NR007908-04A1); SC Ministry Foundation. Correspondence to Dr. Weinert, Montana State University, College of Nursing, Bozeman, MT 59717., Email: cweinert@montana.edu

Publication date: 2008-12-01

Evolution of a Conceptual Model for Adaptation to Chronic Illness

Buy & download fulltext article:

Tools

Key

Text size:

Useful pages