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Toward Healthy Aging: A Theory for Community Health Nursing
Author(s) -
Boyle Joyceen S.,
Counts Mona M.
Publication year - 1988
Publication title -
public health nursing
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.471
H-Index - 55
eISSN - 1525-1446
pISSN - 0737-1209
DOI - 10.1111/j.1525-1446.1988.tb00559.x
Subject(s) - grounded theory , psychological intervention , feeling , nursing theory , nursing interventions classification , psychology , nursing , gerontology , health care , community health , public health nursing , public health , qualitative research , social psychology , medicine , medline , sociology , social science , political science , law , economics , economic growth
In this research project we explored beliefs about healthy aging in an Appalachian community. A major goal was to develop theory for community health nursing interventions that promote and maintain health during the aging process. A convenience sample of 105 community informants responded to an open‐ended interview schedule that elicited beliefs and values of health and aging. The data were analyzed for the purpose of producing grounded theory; a major category that emerged portrayed the aging process as a collection of attitudes about oneself. Health was described as feeling good and being able to enjoy life. The informants reported that health is maintained by good nutrition, exercise, and an environment that is safe and promotes individual growth and development. A beginning theory of independence through self‐care and client involvement emerged from the data analysis. A second component of the theory suggested that to promote healthy aging, nursing interventions should be directed toward aggregate populations. Nursing interventions that are grounded in the understanding of cultural beliefs and practices are likely to be more beneficial to clients than those that ignore or displace such beliefs and practices. This theory has the potential of being extended to a variety of settings.