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Two middle-range theories that could be used to analyze a phenomenon of interest in nursing are Merle Mishel's Theory of Uncertainty in Illness and Barbara Riegel's Theory of Self-Care in Chronic Illness. Both offer complementary perspectives to address phenomena related to the patient's experience …
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Two middle-range theories that could be used to analyze a phenomenon of interest in nursing are Merle Mishel's Theory of Uncertainty in Illness and Barbara Riegel's Theory of Self-Care in Chronic Illness. Both offer complementary perspectives to address phenomena related to the patient's experience of chronic or uncertain conditions.
The Theory of Uncertainty in Illness focuses on how patients perceive and manage uncertainty associated with events related to their illness. It proposes that uncertainty arises when individuals cannot adequately structure or categorize events due to a lack of information or ambiguous cues (FAAN et al., 2023). This theory is particularly useful for exploring emotional and cognitive aspects, such as stress or coping strategies, and how these influence patient adaptation. For example, in patients with chronic diseases, this theory could analyze how uncertainty about the course of the disease affects their psychological well-being and their ability to make informed decisions.
On the other hand, the Theory of Self-Care in Chronic Illness addresses the process by which patients maintain their health and manage their illness through self-care. Its key concepts include self-care maintenance, self-care monitoring, and self-care management (Curcio et al., 2024). This theory emphasizes the practical skills and behaviors needed to manage symptoms, adhere to treatments, and respond to changes in their condition. It is particularly valuable in assessing how factors such as motivation, social support, or personal skills influence health outcomes.
When comparing the two theories, it is observed that while Mishel's Theory focuses more on the psychological and emotional aspects related to the perception of uncertainty, Riegel's Theory emphasizes the concrete actions and practical processes that patients use to manage their illness. However, the two can complement each other: for example, a patient experiencing high levels of uncertainty (according to Mishel) may have difficulty implementing effective self-care strategies (according to Riegel). Taken together, these theories allow for a holistic understanding of the phenomenon by integrating both the emotional and behavioral dimensions of chronic disease management.
References
Curcio, F., Lommi, M., Zambrano Bermeo, R. N., Esteban-Burgos, A. A., Pucciarelli, G., & Avilés González, C. I. (2024). Identifying and Exploring Jean Watson’s Theory of Human Caring in Nursing Approaches for Patients with Psychoactive Substance Dependence in Medical and Surgical Acute Wards. _Nursing Reports_, _14_(3), Article 3. https://doi.org/10.3390/nursrep14030162
FAAN, M. J. S., PhD, RN, RN, P. R. L., PhD, & CNE, R. D. C., PhD, RN, NE-BC. (2023). _Middle Range Theory for Nursing_. Springer Publishing Company.
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