Description and History of Borrowed Theory

Running head: BORROWED THEORY 1 

Borrowed Theory 

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Borrowed Theory 

Nursing is one of the most rudimental fields in the medical profession. Even though some people view nursing as a subsidiary field that should garner as much attention as other professions in medicine, its role is not dismissible. Nursing as a profession has many intricacies and complexities. These complexities and other emerging issues are mainly solved using two models. The first model is based on the theoretic application while the second model is an empirical model where problems are solved based on previous experiences and practice. Dr. Patricia Benner was instrumental in structuring a fundamental basis on which the integration between theoretical and empirical models could be developed ( Benner, 2001). According to Patricia, one could successfully gain skills and knowledge (‘knowing how’) without learning the theory (‘knowing that’). However, the best nursing practice is nurtured when there is the integration of the two models. 

Summary of the Problem and the Applicable Potential Middle-Range Theory 

Professions and careers in the medical field are quite hectic. Nursing, in particular, is one of the medical disciplines that is laced with a lot of challenges. These problems range from professional to social and even personal. Some nurses who work at institutions where they have to work long hours due to understaffing. Others who have to battle with poor working conditions or stubborn patients. The pay and remuneration packages of some nurses are not quite satisfactory. One of these challenges or an agglomeration of several of them results in one thing – stress or psychological disturbances. No person, leave alone a nurse, can have mental peace when they are facing challenges at their workplace. The emptiness or absence of mental tranquility translates to stress, which is one of the greatest problems in nursing. Stress is also associated with depression and other psychological instabilities. 

Professor Janet B. Younger is a key individual in the modeling of The Theory of Mastery over Stress in nursing. It is a middle-range theory that is tailored to solve the problem of stress and psychologically-related issues. The theory describes mastery as a natural response of humans to repeated situations or experiences. According to the theory, dominion, control, and competency in tackling stress can be developed over time due to repeated exposure to the same (McKenna, 2006). Based on the fundamentals of this theory, the problem of stress and psychological distress can be tackled through the mastery of specific causative elements of stress and avoiding them in accordance. Through this mid-range theory, nurses are able to cope up with the challenge or problem of stress and other associated psychological disturbances. Moreover, this theory applies to patients, especially those going through hard times during treatment. 

Description and History of Borrowed Theory 

Lazarus and Folkman's Psychological Stress and Coping Theory is a borrowed theory in nursing. The theory is adopted from the field of psychology and it is effective in the handling of stress and psychological disturbances in the nursing profession. Just like the other borrowed theories that are applied in nursing, this theory traces its roots to other fields of study. However, its effectiveness and adaptability have made it easier for it to be adopted in the nursing field. The structuring of the theory is in such a way that it digs out the main contributors to stress and further offers vivid and critical analysis of the same (Thompson, 2017). The most rudimental and significant element of the theory is that it is knitted from a solution-based dimension. Therefore, the entire activity of analyzing stress is undertaken with a problem-solving approach. 

Based on the theory, there is an assessment of how daily hassles and major life events can impact emotions. This evaluation is undertaken with the emphasis on developing cognitive appraisal and the aspect of coping with stress. Regarding cognitive appraisal, the theory has a primary and a secondary appraisal. Primary appraisal touches on the assessment of threats or harm that may come with a situation, experience or even thought. In modern cases, it can be considered as a stimulus or external force. On the other hand, secondary appraisal is based on the evaluation of what can be done or the remedy to a specific primary appraisal. It forms the most critical segment of the entire theory since it provides an actual solution to a posed or projected problem. Coping follows the secondary appraisal and can involve a change in environment (both physical and emotional) or an adjustment in emotional distress. The element of coping varies from one person to another and depends on a person’s personality, psychological strength, experiences, and emotional vulnerability. In fact, therapists are occasionally involved in the enhancement of the coping element (Thompson, 2017). 

This borrowed theory is appropriate to the identified problem since it offers a direct approach to the identified problem with the sole aim of providing a solution. One of the reasons why the theory is applicable and relevant to the identified issue is that it analyzes the problem of stress from a psychological perspective. It is worth pointing out that all forms of stress, whether in nursing or any other professional field, have an association with psychology. The functioning of the brain and how it perceives certain stimulus is the basis of the entire subject of stress. Here, stimulus refers to the previously mentioned elements of poor working conditions and long hours of work among others. Therefore, since nurses are exposed to stressful stimuli in their work environment, this borrowed theory finds context and relevance in this discussion. 

As the name suggests, the Lazarus and Folkman's Psychological Stress and Coping Theory was pioneered by Lazarus and Folkman. During the 1960s, stress was perceived as a load that was implicated on a person’s mind due to a conflict between internal and external forces. At that time, the internal forces were perceived as someone’s desires of contention while the external forces were the setbacks that individuals faced as they sought or pursued their desires. Dr. Richard Lazarus wrote about stress and coping in 1966. At that time, his theory was known as the Transactional Theory of Stress and Coping. However, it was not broad and intensive regarding the coverage of certain aspects of stress. He continued his research regarding stress and how it came about in a bid to understand the common causative factors and how it could be overcome. Lazarus collaborated with Dr. Susan Folkman in research and publication. Together, they came up with Lazarus and Folkman's Psychological Stress and Coping Theory at times also referred to as The Transactional Model of Stress and Coping (Lazarus & Folkman, 1984). 

How the Borrowed Theory Has Been Previously Applied 

Psychology is the primary field on which the theory was created, and it mainly deals with the operation of the brain and how it processes stimuli together with emotions. In psychology, the theory has been applied by doctors and therapists especially in creating an understanding of the primary appraisal. Indeed, some people do not understand the triggers, events, and situations that make them vulnerable stress-wise. Therefore, therapists and psychologists have over the years used the theory to help individuals to comprehend and recognize their primary appraisals. This is important in the entire subject of stress management since understanding one’s vulnerabilities, or triggers is the first step towards management of the same. 

Guidance and counseling are almost synonymous with psychological therapy. Continued episodes of stress can easily result in depression. In most instances, individuals who commit or attempt suicide often suffer from depression. In guidance and counseling, the counselor is responsible for assessing the aspects or elements which result in their patients’ or clients’ unwell-being. After the evaluation and realization that their client is unwell dues to stress-related reasons, they apply the Lazarus and Folkman's Psychological Stress and Coping Theory. Consequently, the counselor is able to guide the person on how to identify the primary and the secondary appraisals, and thus how to cope (Lazarus, 2006). 

Application of the Borrowed Theory to the Identified Problem 

The theory finds direct context and relevance to the identified problem since nurses and other practitioners often encounter situations and circumstances that result in stress, for instance dealing with mentally challenged patients. Also, the working environment and conditions that some nurses are exposed to can be quite demeaning. All the technical and professional problems associated with nursing, therefore, have a direct consequence on the stress condition of a nurse. Lazarus and Folkman's Psychological Stress and Coping Theory offers a vivid solution to the problem. First, a nurse ought to understand their triggers because based on the theory, these are the primary appraisals. For instance, a nurse can be angered by a patient’s inappropriateness in contact or utterance. If this happens at work and leads to episodes of stress, it can be considered as the primary appraisal, based on the theory. 

How a nurse reacts to the primary appraisals essentially informs the secondary appraisals. To this end, secondary appraisals are critical in the nursing practice. For example, some people respond fast to stimuli of primary appraisals leading to physical injury. Therefore, the application of this theory in nursing helps nurses to react rationally to events, stimuli or experiences that result in stress. Finally, coping is crucial as it culminates patience and perseverance, which are essential in nursing. By incorporating this theory, my practice would change in a positive direction as I will be able to accomplish my tasks and professional responsibilities with diligence and escape any stress triggers or other related elements. 

How the Borrowed and the Middle-Range Theories Can Solve the Problem 

The integration between borrowed theory and the middle-range theory would be the ultimate solution for the stress problem in nursing. The Theory of Mastery over Stress in nursing and The Lazarus and Folkman's Psychological Stress and Coping Theory have overlapping and complementary aspects. The element of mastery in the middle-range theory is almost synonymous with the primary appraisals in the borrowed theory. Also, the aspect of coping that is in the borrowed theory complements the mastery aspect that is essential in the middle-range theory. Therefore, the two approaches can be used to create a solid and robust ‘directory’ of tackling the stress problem in the nursing profession. As demonstrated above, the crucial elements that lack in the borrowed theory are available in the middle-range theory and vice versa. For this reason, the integration of the two approaches is the most effective and practical solution for the stress problem in nursing. 

References 

Benner, P. E. (2011). Nursing Theories : From Novice to Expert. Retrieved from http://currentnursing.com/nursing_theory/patricia_benner_from_novice_to_expert.html 

Lazarus, R. S. (2006). Stress and Emotion : A New Synthesis. Springer Publishing Company. 

Lazarus, R. S., & Folkman, S. (1984). Stress, Appraisal, and Coping . Springer Publishing Company. 

McKenna, H. (2006). Nursing Theories and Models . Routledge Publishers. 

Thompson, C. J. (2017). Nursing Education Expert : Borrowed Theory in Nursing Theory Development. Retrieved from https://nursingeducationexpert.com/borrowed-theory/