Abstract
This investigation used a prospective design to examine the orientation phase of the nurse-client relationship. One hundred and twenty-four newly formed nurse-client dyads constituted the sample; Client subjects were individuals with a chronic mental illness. The following variables predicted by Peplau's theory to be related to development of the therapeutic nurse-client relationship were examined: nurses' preconceptions of their clients, clients' preconceptions of their nurses, other interpersonal relationships of clients and nurses, and anxiety of clients and nurses. Variables were measured for both nurses and clients at 0, 3 and 6 months into their relationship. Preconceptions of both clients and nurses were related to the duration of the orientation phase and development of the therapeutic alliance. There was support for the importance of other interpersonal relationships with clients but not nurses. Anxiety was not found to be significantly related to the development of the therapeutic relationship. Findings therefore support some tenets of Peplau's theory, but not others. This gives direction for future research and theory refinement.
Sigma Membership
Iota Omicron
Type
Dissertation
Format Type
Text-based Document
Study Design/Type
Descriptive/Correlational
Research Approach
Quantitative Research
Keywords:
Psychiatric Nursing, Therapeutic Relationship, Mental Illness
Advisors
Northouse, Laurel
Advisor
Laurel Northouse
Degree
PhD
Degree Grantor
Wayne State University
Degree Year
1992
Recommended Citation
Forchuk, Cheryl, "The orientation phase of the nurse-client relationship: Testing Peplau's theory" (2020). Dissertations. 488.
https://www.sigmarepository.org/dissertations/488
Rights Holder
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Review Type
None: Degree-based Submission
Acquisition
Proxy-submission
Date of Issue
2020-04-08
Full Text of Presentation
wf_yes
Description
This dissertation has also been disseminated through the ProQuest Dissertations and Theses database. Dissertation/thesis number: 9225881; ProQuest document ID: 303998834. The author still retains copyright.