Peplau’s Theory

of

Interpersonal Relations

Introduction

• Theorist -Hildegard. E. Peplau
• Born in Reading, Pennsylvania [1909], USA
• Diploma program in Pottstown, Pennsylvania in 1931.
• BA in interpersonal psychology - Bennington College in 1943.
• MA in psychiatric nursing from Colombia University New York in 1947.
• EdD in curriculum development in 1953.
• Professor emeritus from Rutgers university
• Started first post baccalaureate program in nursing
• Published Interpersonal Relations in Nursing in 1952
• 1968 :interpersonal techniques-the crux of psychiatric nursing
• Worked as executive director and president of ANA.
• Worked with W.H.O, NIMH and Nurse Corps.
• Died in 1999.
• Theory of interpersonal relations is a middle range descriptive classification theory.
• The theory was influenced by Harry Stack Sullivan's theory of inter personal relations (1953).
• The theorist was also influenced by Percival Symonds, Abraham Maslow's and Neal Elger Miller.
• Peplau's theory is also refered as psychodynamic nursing, which is the understanding of ones own behavior.

Major Concepts

• The theory explains the purpose of nursing is to help others identify their felt difficulties.
• Nurses should apply principles of human relations to the problems that arise at all levels of experience.
• Peplau's theory explains the phases of interpersonal process, roles in nursing situations and methods for studying nursing as an interpersonal process.
• Nursing is therapeutic in that it is a healing art, assisting an individual who is sick or in need of health care.
• Nursing is an interpersonal process because it involves interaction between two or more individuals with a common goal.
• The attainment of goal is achieved through the use of a series of steps following a series of pattern.
• The nurse and patient work together so both become mature and knowledgeable in the process.

Definitions

• Person: A developing organism that tries to reduce anxiety caused by needs.
• Environment: Existing forces outside the organism and in the context of culture
• Health: A word symbol that implies forward movement of personality and other ongoing human processes in the direction of creative, constructive, productive, personal and community living.
• Nursing: A significant therapeutic interpersonal process. It functions cooperatively with other human process that makes health possible for individuals in communities.

Roles of nurse

• Stranger: receives the client in the same way one meets a stranger in other life situations provides 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
• Counselors : 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 clients behalf as an advocate.
• Leader : helps client assume maximum responsibility for meeting treatment goals in a mutually satisfying way

Additional Roles include:

1.   Technical expert 
2.   Consultant 
3.   Health teacher 
4.   Tutor 
5.   Socializing agent 
6.   Safety agent 
7.   Manager of environment 
8.   Mediator 
9.   Administrator 
10.  Recorder observer 
11.  Researcher

Phases of interpersonal relationship

Identified four sequential phases in the interpersonal relationship:

1.      Orientation 
2.      Identification 
3.      Exploitation 
4.      Resolution

Orientation phase

• 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
• Nurse responds, explains roles to client, helps to identify problems and to use available resources and services

Factors influencing orientation phase

Identification phase

• 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

Exploitation phase

• Use of professional assistance for problem solving alternatives
• Advantages of services are used is based on the needs and interests of the patients
• Individual feels as an integral part of the helping environment
• They may make minor requests or attention getting techniques
• The principles of interview techniques must be used in order to explore, understand and adequately deal with the underlying problem
• Patient may fluctuates on independence
• Nurse must be aware about the various phases of communication
• Nurse aids the patient in exploiting all avenues of help and progress is made towards the final step

Resolution phase

• Termination of professional relationship
• The patients needs have already been met by the collaborative effect of patient and nurse
• Now they need to terminate their therapeutic relationship and dissolve the links between them.
• Sometimes may be difficult for both as psychological dependence persists
• Patient drifts away and breaks bond with nurse and healthier emotional balance is demonstrated and both becomes mature individuals

Interpersonal theory and nursing process

• Both are sequential and focus on therapeutic relationship
• Both use problem solving techniques for the nurse and patient to collaborate on, with the end purpose of meeting the patients needs
• Both use  observation communication and recording as basic tools utilized by nursing.

Peplau’s work and characteristics of a theory

• Interrelation of concepts
• Four phases interrelate the different components of each phase.
• Applicability
• The nurse patient interaction can apply to the concepts of human being, health, environment and nursing.
• Theories must be logical in nature -
• This theory provides a logical systematic way of viewing nursing situations
• Key concepts such as anxiety, tension, goals, and frustration are indicated with explicit relationships among them and progressive phases
• Generalizability
• This theory provides simplicity in regard to the natural progression of the NP relationship.
• Theories can be the bases for hypothesis that can be tested
• Peplau's theory has generated testable hypotheses. 
• Theories can be utilized by practitioners to guide and improve their practice.
• Peplau’s anxiety continuum is still used in anxiety patients
• Theories must be consistent with other validated theories, laws, and principles but will leave open unanswered questions that need to be investigated.
• Peplau's theory is consistent with various theories 

Limitations

• Personal space considerations and community social service resources are considered less.
• Health promotion and maintenance were less emphasized
• Cannot be used in a patient who doesn’t have a felt need eg. With drawn patients, unconscious patients 
• Some areas are not specific enough to generate hypothesis 

Research Based on Peplau’s Theory

• Hays .D. (1961). Phases and steps of experimental teaching to patients of a concept of anxiety: Findings revealed that when taught by the experimental method, the patients were able to apply the concept of anxiety after the group was terminated.
• Burd .S.F. Develop and test a nursing intervention framework for  working with anxious patients: Students developed competency in beginning interpersonal relationship.

References

1. Timber BK. Fundamental skills and concepts in Patient Care, 7th edition, LWW, N
2. George B. Julia , Nursing Theories- The base for professional Nursing Practice , 3rd ed. Norwalk, Appleton & Lange.
3. Wills M.Evelyn, McEwen Melanie (2002). Theoretical Basis for Nursing Philadelphia. Lippincott Williams& wilkins.
4. Meleis Ibrahim Afaf (1997) , Theoretical Nursing : Development & Progress 3rd ed. Philadelphia,  Lippincott.
5. Taylor Carol,Lillis Carol (2001)The Art & Science  Of Nursing Care 4th ed. Philadelphia,  Lippincott.
6. Potter A Patricia, Perry G Anne (1992) Fundamentals Of Nursing –Concepts Process & Practice 3rd ed. London Mosby Year Book.
7. Vandemark L.M. Awareness of self & expanding consciousness: using Nursing theories to prepare nurse –therapists Ment Health Nurs. 2006 Jul; 27(6) : 605-15
8. Reed PG, The force of nursing theory guided- practice. Nurs Sci Q. 2006 Jul;19(3):225

Delaune SC,. Ladner PK, Fundamental of nursing, standard and practice, 2nd edition, Thomson, NY, 2002.

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