Theory of self-control strength

Background 

Nursing theories provides the framework for successful care of patients and nursing practice. They outline definitive, purposeful and systematic ideas of evaluating a nursing phenomenon. In other words, the theories improve nurses’ ability and skills of improving care for patients. Nursing theories are coherent groups of ideas, suggestions and principles used to guide a nursing concept, process or practice (Roy, 2018) . Nursing theories are important because they help in solving the increasing complexity of nursing challenges and demands of clients. The theories are used by nurses to plan, strategize, examine and reflect on a particular problem while defining a definite direction that a healthcare provider can take to achieve the best results (Hugh, 2014) . Further, the nursing theories ensures a serene and tranquil milieu where nurses and patients exist in harmony with one another, encouraging team work and communication. There are three major categories of nursing theories: grand nursing theories, mid-range nursing theories and nursing practice theories. Grand theories are broad in nature and their applicability extends to all spheres in nursing areas. Their postulates are general. Mid-range theories are specific to a specific nursing element and are arrow in scope (Hugh, 2014) . They provide strategies and guidelines to research and practice. This paper will analyze a mid-range theory; the theory of self-control strength by Kathleen O’Connell, inspect its beliefs, how it is used and its effectiveness to solving the problems that are specific to its use. 

Theorist’s Background 

Kathleen O’Connell is a professor of nursing education and a director in nursing education programs. She is a Ph.D. holder in psychology from the university of Kansas. She has worked as a tutor in the College of Mount St. Joseph, Ohio and in the University of Pursue (Kathleen, 2018) . Her entire career she has geared her resources (time and knowledge) in research towards scholarly interest that are major problems to the society today. One of the major areas is smoking cessation and drug use. Here, she was concerned with the ceasing or discontinuance of smoking behavior which had become rampant in the society. Another area of interest was on health behaviors of patients and she provided guidelines in which history can be used to treat an individual (Hugh, 2014) . She noticed that some induvial responds to treatment on a regular way while others do not due to other factors. Her focus was to study and research on how patients with different health behavior can be cared for and increase the effectiveness of treatment. 

Another field of interest was on diabetes nursing. She went ahead to publish the book “the process and rationale for an online master’s program in diabetes education and management. This is a free online book where Kathleen and two others educate patients suffering from diabetes defining the healthy habits that they can practice such as diet and medication to prolong their lives (Marilyn, 2010) . Her inspiration to venture into the study of diabetes was facilitated by the death of her college due to poor health management. 

Other than the theory of self-control strength, she also developed two other nursing models; reversal theory and Pavlovian processes in health-related behaviors. The reversal theory has four key points from which the entire theory is based. They include; the motivational factor for oneself and how that motivation influences the development of emotions, understanding the dynamics of change and how we react to it, recognizing emotions and how we respond to every type of emotions in unusual ways and how we develop innovative ways to respond to recurrent emotions (Kathleen, 2018) . The theory focusses on motivation and emotions. Due to the belief on innovation of responses, the theory delves in the flexibility and changeability of an individual’s emotions, behavior and motivation. 

Kathleen has had several research successes in her career life and the main one being “self-control in smoking cessation”. She was awarded 1 million dollars in three occasions after successfully supporting her research hypothesis with substantial evidence by the national institute of health (NIH) (George, 2018) . Kathleen O’Connell has conducted research on the area for a period of thirty years. From the vast research, she developed the theory under discussion. She focuses on interpreting and understanding human behavior by applying psychological theories. In 2012, she demonstrated how Pavlovian extinction can be applied to treat smoke addiction and help smokers resist smoking behavior even at the event of smoking cessation (Michael, 2018) . Currently, Kathleen is conducting a study in urinary urgency and lack of self-constrain. It is expected that her presentation will examine the stimuli responsible for urinary leakage and access why most people have the inability to contain urinal urgency (Marilyn, 2010) . Other books written by her are; Cues to Urinary urgency inconvenience and urinary urgency (2014), does extinction of responses to cigarette cues occur during smoking cessation (2011) and do restricted temptations during smoking cessation deplete or augment self-control resources? (2008) (Kathleen, 2018) . Others who are interested and have also been digging deep into this theory include Scollan Koliopoulos who collaborated with Kathleen to publish the book “how does copying help people resist lapses during smoking cessation (2004) and Gerkovich Shiffman who collaborated with Kathleen to write the book “the effect of anticipatory strategies on the first day of smoking cessation”2002) (Kathleen, 2018) . 

Phenomenon of Concern 

The trend and problem of drug use is persistently increasing in our societal setups and most unfortunately, nurses using drugs in nursing setups. It is evident that most healthcare professionals have resorted to drug use due to frustrations and complexity of the work involved. The rate of delinquency in nursing setups has escalated due to drug use reducing task motivation, task monitoring and the quality of operating processes. This menace of drug use is attributed to low self-control. Also, continued drug use causes addiction which is the major problem with many youths across the world. This theory focusses on solving the problem of drug use by concentrating on developing the self-control of the victim (Marilyn, 2010) . Dialysis may be frustrating especially to novice nurses and the reactions for failed experiments maybe damaging. In such a case, self-control concept is an important idea. Also, one of the problems we deal with is related to organs which are majorly caused by drug use. Thus, we want a preventive measure to increase effortful performance in dialysis process and also reduce organ infection (Roy, 2018) . The theory bases its argument on the postulate that self-control can be improved thus improvement in performance of an individual’s towards resisting drug. Therefore, the theory aims at improving self-control as a measure to reduce the levels of drug use. 

Finding solutions to overcome drug use has been given a lot of priority in the recent times because the health and legal consequences are pervasive and undesirable. The society incurs huge losses when treating and rehabilitating drug addicts (Marilyn, 2010) . Kathleen being a healthcare professional wanted to provide a solution to this menace by looking at ways in which individuals can be helped by boosting their self-control performance. 

Self-control is an important aspect of human lives and determines the success of an individual while maneuvering through temptations and life recurrent problems. Self-control is a perpetual resource that however the rate we put it into use, it is never exhaustible, we can renew it (George, 2018) . However, its functionality can reduce with time due to exhaustion but not depletion. Just like muscles can be tired, self-control works in a comparable way and in such a case we experience short-term impairments in our overall performance (Hugh, 2014) . The theory seeks to block the body from feeling this depletion or temporary deliriousness by developing our self-esteem. The tool towards achieving this success is motivation. 

Theory description 

Concepts 

The general idea of the theory is to help the client to build the capacity of stopping, inhibiting, overriding and changing undesirable behavior and adopt positive attributes that are acceptable by the society. The major concepts and ideas exploited by this theory are self-inhibition, purposefulness, future orientation and executive function (George, 2018) . It is based on the postulate that self-control can be modified and that just like how muscles get tired and weary, so does self-control. During this period of dormancy of self-control, an individual cannot successful manage problems (Roy, 2018) . Therefore, since these concepts are manifested externally, the theory defines them explicitly. 

The concept of self-regulation or self-inhibition refers to the degree in which an individual is able to abide to the applicable rules and regulations. The model for the theory aims at improving compliance with the law. The concept of purposefulness or deliberateness explores the ability of the victim to weigh facts and arguments with a view of making a choice or decision (Kathleen, 2018) . Here, the theory aims at instilling the ability of careful consideration before making decisions by evaluating the consequences of taking such a step. Future orientation is the act of making the client incline or tend to adjust and achieve new thoughts while executive function pertains to having the sense of responsibility by adhering to the standards set by the society (Marilyn, 2010) . These concepts are used to establish the type of self-control component that an individual has because they can be evaluated and assessed. Self-control strength help is an important factor in motivation and monitoring tasks for effortful performance. 

Diagram 

Assumptions 

It is believed that this theory works in numerous settings, and not hospital alone. It can be applied in schools, to achieve healthy living, to enhance social skills in a working setup. According to the theory, problems such as mental illness, physical illnesses, delinquency, drug abuse, relationship metaunderstandings and violent behavior are indicators of lack of self-control (Kathleen, 2018) . Therefore, development of good self-control is the cure to such problems. Also, people experience two distinct kinds of self-control namely; the stable component and the unstable one which keeps on changing from time to time due to circumstances. If a person has a stable component of self-control, they can be able to regulate and contains their behaviors in a consistent manner and within the acceptable standards (Marilyn, 2010) . Time or circumstance cannot change their behavior regardless of the degree of the stress caused. On the other hand, individuals with the changing component of self-control leads to unstable behavior within an individual which gives rise to unwanted behaviors. their behaviors and response to stress keeps changing with time and circumstance. In addition, self-control changes with time and circumstance. Further, changing an individual’s self-control requires energy, patience and self-control. 

Moreover, self-control strength can be renewed, increased and restored. Some of the ways recommended by this theory are resting, eating fast energy foods such as glucose and remembering of treasured and standard values in the society. Just like regular physical improves physical body fitness, continued training leads to persistent improvement of self-control. A principal factor considered throughout the training is motivation (Marilyn, 2010) . One must be motivated to experience improvement in their self-control. Therefore, this theory uses inductive reasoning concept because the process of inferences is based upon observed patterns, or simple repetition. It is possible to predict what will happen or what does happen based on the self-control component of individuals. 

Metaparadigm 

Metaparadigm is a nursing concept which defines the conceptual model that a professional should understand in applying any theory. The metaparadigm concepts cover the influence of the theory to; the person who is the recipients of care, nursing which is the action guided by professional expertise, health which is the physical and emotional well-being of the person and the environment both internal and external (Kathleen, 2018) . In other words, metaparadigm covers the interrelation between the nursing elements. 

In the theory of self-control strength, nursing is the application of nursing knowledge, procedures and technical skills, either administering directly or indirectly to improve the client’s self-control performance. The phenomenon of the person refers to an individual with changing or unstable self-control component. The theory specifically aims at improving the self-control strength of the victim. The phenomenon of health is the wellness of the person which is evaluated in the aspect of self-control component in this theory (Kathleen, 2018) . The phenomenon of environment are the internal and external factors that influence the self-control of the individual. The factors could be internal or external factors such as social-cultural factors, geographical location, social status among others. 

Evaluation 

Clarity 

This theory can be assessed and evaluated in two main ways; by checking its applicability over the past and the success it has achieved or by evaluating its applicability and relevance in the present. Over the past, Kathleen has applied her theory to help innumerable drug addicts (including nurses) and change the performance of their self-control (Marilyn, 2010) . She also used the theory to bring harmony in workplaces by improving social skills. The tenets of this theory are still applied to date with immense success. The theory is widely used because its prepositions are presented with great clarity and obviousness. The difference between persons is evaluated based on self-control, either stable or changing. If an individual has a stable self-control, he is considered healthy otherwise unhealthy (Michael, 2018) . This is what forms the basis of the treatment. Also, the treatment is geared towards improving the self-control of the client. Therefore, the prepositions are clear, the objective is succinct and its applicability is realistic. 

Self-control as a human characteristic is inherent and is contained in the essential nature of a person. It cannot be seen but can be felt or experienced when we outwardly show our behaviors. Therefore, the assumptions made about self-control as if it were a tangible thing that we can physically se are implicit definitions of self-control, they apply but intrinsic in nature (Roy, 2018) . However, using behavior and reactions to various circumstances to judge the client’s self-control can be deemed explicit. The theory judges the self-control of an individual by assessing their history of stability of their reactions to circumstances with time and depending on the complexity of the issue (Roy, 2018) . Ordinarily, it is accurate to judge something by assessing its nature and variability over time. The theory is clear and easy to understand. 

Congruence 

Another way of assessing and evaluating the theory is by analyzing its congruency. Based on the overview given, it is accurate to say that the tenets and the prepositions of the theory agree with one another, are suitable to the current world and are appropriate to solving the problem it is aimed at (Kathleen, 2018) . Many theories experiences congruency nightmare due to their inconsistency with the basic nursing standards and requirements, nursing interventions, validity in terms of empirical support, their applicability, social relevance, transcultural relevance, significant contribution to nursing care and its implications to the client (Michael, 2018) . The theory is congruent with the nursing standards and the provisions of nursing integrity and thus its applicability has no limits. Further, the theory has been supported by empirical testing and research for the last 30 years. The theory can be used for social groups such as a family or to an individual as well (Roy, 2018) . Moreover, the theory is relevant across any cultural background and its contribution to nursing is enormous. 

Application 

Level 

This theory can be applied in all levels and practice settings in nursing. The problem of self-control has caused the healthcare industry huge disadvantages. Due to the complexity of the nursing dialysis, many nurses have opted to drugs use and some end up quitting their jobs due to frustrations, the feeling of self-inadequacy and inexperience (Kathleen, 2018) . Here, the problem is low self-control strength. 

Use 

The theory can be used to improve the self-control component of nurses and thus they can face their jobs and duties with positive enthusiasm. Specifically, for novice nurses, they can use the prepositions of the theory to improve their self-control especially in dealing with workplace frustrations such as failed results, short deadlines, emergencies among others (Michael, 2018) . Self-control is an important aspect for nurses especially in the need to reduce the high rate of nurse turnover and improve nursing retention. 

In medical dialysis, the concentration and mental energy required for the process is enormous. Also, it is frustrating when you conduct an experiment and it fails. It requires self-control to accept the results and make proper decisions to conduct a successful subsequent practical or exercises. Many novice nurses have quitted their jobs due to low self-control because they feel inexperience and self-inadequate when they continually fail in tasks (Roy, 2018) . The application of the theory of self-control strength is unlimited and in my areas of practice it can be applied to boost the self-control performance of nurses to improve how they react to situations and achieve satisfactory results in dialysis processes (Michael, 2018) . It can be applied to reduce the rate of drug use among professionals in my area of specialty which is continually worsening with time. 

Weaknesses 

This theory works best with individual sessions and may not be effective for groups thus making it expensive to use in terms of time invested and resources put in place to serve every individual independently. 

Future 

The applicability of this theory is projected to be functional for the infinite future due to the increasing trends of drug use and low self-control in our nursing setups. As a result, the quality of healthcare is continually deteriorating. The tenets can be improved though through research. 

References 

George, J. B. (2018). Nursing theories: the base for professional nursing practice. Kindle press. 

Hugh, M. (2014). Fundamentals of nursing models, theories and practice. Wiley-Blackwell. 

Kathleen, M. (2018). Nursing theories: a framework fpr professional practice. Jones and Bartlett Learning. 

Marilyn, P. E. (2010). Nursing theories and nursing practice. F.A Davis Company. 

Michael, R. (2018). A cognitive control perspective of self-control strength and its depletion. social and personality psychology compass , 189-210. 

Roy, B. F. (2018). The strength model of self-control. Current direction of psychology science , 351-364.